Direct C4-Benzylation of Indoles via Tandem Benzyl Claisen/Cope Rearrangements.

A novel direct C4 benzylation of indoles utilizing 2-benzyloxyindoles has been developed to access 4-benzyl-2-oxindoles. This strategy involves the in situ formation of isotoluene intermediates via benzyl Claisen rearrangements, which undergoes Cope rearrangement and aromatization. The method provides the desired products in moderate to high yields and shows good functional group tolerance.