Palladium-catalyzed stereocontrolled vinylation of azoles and phenothiazine.

[reaction: see text] Vinylation of various azoles (pyrrole, indole, carbazole, and their derivatives) and phenothiazine with vinyl bromides catalyzed by palladium-phosphine complexes results in the respective N-vinylazoles in 30-99% yields. This reaction with cis- and trans-beta-bromostyrenes is stereospecific giving the respective products with full retention of configuration.