Ruthenium-Catalyzed, Site-Selective C–H Allylation of Indoles with Allyl Alcohols as Coupling Partners

A new ruthenium-catalyzed, heteroatom-directed strategy for C–H allylation of indoles is described. The use of allyl alcohols as coupling partners as well as pyridine as the removable directing group is highlighted. This methodology provides access to C2-allylated indoles by utilizing a strategy that does not require prefunctionalization of either of the coupling partners.