Selectfluor-mediated Regioselective Oxidative Fluorination of Indole Derivatives

The development of strategies for oxidative fluorination represents an important avenue in the synthesis of valuable fluorine-containing compounds. A simple and regioselective methodology has been developed for the synthesis of 3,7-difluorinated oxindole derivatives from 3-substituted indoles in a Selectfluor™ mediated process in 15-71% yield. The reaction proceeds under mild, metal-free conditions with broad substrate scope and high functional group tolerance, including electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups, on the indole ring.