Ruthenium(ii) catalyzed C-3 site selective alkenylation of indole derivatives C-H activation.

An efficient synthetic method has been developed for C-3 site-selective alkenylation of indole derivatives under ruthenium(ii) catalysis with an ester as a directing group. Besides the presence of two potential C(sp)-H sites available for functionalization in the substrates, exclusive C3 selectivity was achieved in a selective manner as only mono-functionalized products were formed. The high site selectivity is attributed to the formation of an uncommon six-membered metallacycle intermediate between the ruthenium catalyst and ester directing group, enabled by the selective alkenylation at the C3 position of indole derivatives. This protocol features high site selectivity, operational simplicity, broad substrate scope, and moderate to high yields.