Molecular Iodine-catalyzed Metal-free Regioselective Synthesis of N-Alkenylindoles from 2-(1-Alkynyl)anilines

Herein, we report a molecular iodine-catalyzed, regioselective synthesis of N-alkenylindoles from 2-(1-alkynyl)anilines. This novel metal-free synthetic route affords the preparation of 19 N-alkenylindole compounds with 18 new derivatives in moderate to good yields (56-73%). Mechanistic control experiments suggest that the reaction proceeds via an ionic pathway.