3-Unsubstituted indoles undergo regioselective alkylation at the 3-position of the indole nucleus through gold-catalyzed conjugated addition type reaction with α,β-enones. 3-Substituted indoles undergo C-2 alkylation. Sequential C-3/C-2 gold catalyzed alkylation of the indole with dibenzylidene acetone gives a polycyclic indole b-annulated with a seven-membered cycle.
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Arcadi et al. (2004) studied this question.