Easy access to 3-indolyl 1,1,2,2-ethanetetracarboxylates from malonates and indoles catalyzed by Pd(OAc)2

A novel dehydrodimerization of malonates with indoles has been developed, providing simple and rapid access to 3-indolyl tetramethyl 1,1,2,2-ethanetetracarboxylates. Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed ‘one pot’ C(sp2)–C(sp3) and C(sp3)–C(sp3) cross-dehydrogenative-couplings of malonates with a variety of 2-aryl indoles were involved. The titled compounds were obtained in high yields with good functional group tolerance.

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