Ruthenium-catalyzed monodeuterium-methylenation of two indole units with vinylene carbonate as a novel methylene precursor

Abstract

A new deuterated example of ruthenium-catalyzed monodeuterium-methylenation of indole units with vinylene carbonate is described, building an array of promising highly deuterated bisindolylmethanes (d-BIMs). This methodology featured excellent functional group compatibility, diverse substrate categories such as indoles, N,N-dialkylanilines, and 1,3-dicarbonyls, and also represents the distinct chemical function of VC as an innovative methylene precursor.