Au(III)/TPPMS-catalyzed benzylation of indoles with benzylic alcohols in water.

Hidemasa Hikawa, Hideharu Suzuki, Isao Azumaya

Index: J. Org. Chem. 78(23) , 12128-35, (2013)

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Abstract

A novel and efficient method for the Au(III)/TPPMS-catalyzed direct substitution reaction of benzhydryl and benzylic alcohols with indoles in water is developed. Au(III)/TPPMS is an effective catalyst for the benzylation of the strong π nucleophile 1-methylindole, while common Brønsted or Lewis acids are ineffective.