Synthesis of C4-Aminated Indoles via a Catellani and Retro-Diels–Alder Strategy

Highly functionalized 4-aminoindoles were synthesized via the three-component cross-coupling of o-iodoaniline, N-benzoyloxyamines, and norbornadiene. The Catellani and retro-Diels–Alder strategy was used in this domino process. o-Iodoaniline, with electron-donating and sterically hindered protecting groups, made the reaction selective toward o-C–H amination. On the basis of density functional theory calculations, the intramolecular Buchwald coupling of this reaction underwent a dearomatization and a 1,3-palladium migration process. The reasons for the control of the chemical selectivity by the protecting groups are given. Moreover, synthetic applications toward 4-piperazinylindole and a GOT1 inhibitor were realized.