Rh-Catalyzed C–H bond alkylation of indoles with α,α-difluorovinyl tosylate via indolyl group migration

Herein we demonstrate that an alkylation of indoles could be accessed through C-H bond functionalization with α,α-difluorovinyl tosylate. The key aspect for the effective alkylation is the influence of the fluorine substituents on the reactivity of the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C double bond, allowing regioselective insertion as well as an indolyl group shift process. Furthermore, the fluorides are removed through alcoholysis to furnish the alkylation product as a traceless auxiliary.