General Synthesis of N-Alkylindoles from N,N-Dialkylanilines via [4 + 1] Annulative Double C–H Functionalization

Strategies enabling the construction of indoles and novel polycyclic heterocycles from simple building blocks streamline syntheses in synthetic and medicinal chemistry. Herein, we report a C–H functionalization approach to N-alkylindoles proceeding via a double, site-selective C(sp3)–H/C(sp2)–H [4 + 1] annulation of readily accessed N,N-dialkylanilines. This protocol features a site-selective hydrogen atom transfer by a tuned N-tBu amidyl radical and addition of a sulfonyl diazo coupling partner, which promotes highly site-selective homolytic aromatic substitution of the (hetero)aromatic core. Mild decarboxylation of the annulation product enables the overall introduction of a carbyne equivalent into the N,N-dialkylaniline scaffold. Furthermore, the site-selectivity and mild conditions of the indolization facilitate direct access to N-alkyl indole scaffolds in late-stage functionalization (LSF) settings.