Direct Fluoroacylation of Indole with Perfluoroalkyl Iodides

Functionalization of perfluoroalkyl compounds has shown huge potential in synthetic chemistry and drug development. Herein, we report a one-pot tandem perfluoroalkylation-defluorination reaction of indole, perfluoroalkyl iodide, and water in the presence of Na2S2O4. A wide array of indole derivatives were efficiently accessed with good yields under mild reaction conditions. The reaction is believed to undergo perfluoroalkylation and follow the defluorination hydrolysis pathway. This study represents an alternative approach for defluorination functionalization.