Synthesis of N-aryl-1-aminoindoles via intermolecular redox amination

Abstract

A redox amination strategy was developed for the synthesis of N-aryl-1-aminoindoles by N-N bond formation. Reaction of nitrosobenzenes with readily available indolines using Brønsted acid catalysis allows N-N bond formation under mild conditions. This method exploits the inherent reducing power of indoline to synthesize biologically relevant molecular architectures via redox amination. A one-pot synthesis of 1-aminoindoles starting from simple aniline and indolines is likewise described.