Direct Tryptophols Synthesis from 2-Vinylanilines and Alkynes via CC Triple Bond Cleavage and Dioxygen Activation

An unexpected metal-free C C triple bond cleavage, dioxygen activation, and reassembly into tryptophol derivatives has been developed. This chemistry provides a novel, simple, and efficient approach to highly valuable tryptophol derivatives from simple substrates under mild conditions. The mechanistic studies may promote the discovery of new methodologies through C-C bond cleavage and dioxygen activation.