Synthesis of carbazoles by copper-catalyzed intramolecular C-H/N-H coupling.

A Cu-catalyzed intramolecular C-H amination for the synthesis of carbazoles has been developed. The key to success is the installation of the picolinamide-based directing group, which is spontaneously removed after the coupling event. The Cu catalysis proceeded smoothly under Pd- and I(III)-free conditions, and its mild oxidation aptitude enables the rapid and concise construction of heteroatom-incorporated carbazole core π-systems.