Chemoselective Double Allylic Substitutions with Carbon Nucleophiles: Access to Tetrahydroindoles and Tetrahydrocarbazoles

Abstract

A chemoselective double allylic substitution involving two different carbon nucleophiles is described. The reaction relies on a dual catalytic approach, with a Lewis acid promoting the first allylic substitution and Pd promoting the second step. Starting from simple allylic diols, a diversity of polycyclic structures can be obtained, including tetrahydroindole, tetrahydrocarbazole, and tetrahydronaphthalene.