Direct alkenylation of alkylazaarenes with aldehydes through C(sp3)-H functionalization under catalytic InCl3 activation

Under the influence of InCl3 as a Lewis acid catalyst, a methodology on the C(sp3)-H functionalization of alkylazaarenes has been demonstrated through the activation of benzylic C-H bonds towards their addition reaction with the appropriate electrophiles. This methodology was chiefly applied in the direct alkenylation of primary and secondary benzylic C-H bonds of alkylazaarenes with aldehydes. A variety of alkenyl products were afforded in generally good yields including the starting alkenyl intermediate used in the synthesis of montelukast and other related molecules.