Indoles Synthesized from Amines via Copper Catalysis

N-Substituted indoles are synthesized from primary amines through a tandem reaction sequence. Initial condensation of the amine with an alpha-(o-haloaryl)ketone or aldehyde is followed by intramolecular aryl amination catalyzed by CuI. A variety of anilines and alkyl amines, including those with significant steric demands, are converted to indoles in high yields and with varying indole substitution.