Synthesis of indoles: Selenium-catalyzed reductive N-heterocyclization of 2-nitrostyrenes with carbon monoxide

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(99)01080-1

Reductive N-heterocyclization of 2-nitrostyrenes with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalytic amount of selenium proceeded efficiently to afford the corresponding indoles in moderate to good yields.