Synthesis of N-Biheteroarenes via Acceptorless Dehydrogenative Coupling of Benzocyclic Amines with Indole Derivatives

Here, via a strategy of in situ capture of partially dehydrogenated cyclic amine motifs, we present an acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling of benzocyclic amines with indole derivatives that enables to access various quinoline-indole linked N-biheteroarenes in an efficient manner. The catalytic transformation is characteristic of operational simplicity, a readily available catalyst system, good substrate and functional compatibility, mild conditions, high atom efficiency, and no need for oxidant and halogenated coupling agents.