A general palladium-catalyzed method for alkylation of heteroarenes using secondary and tertiary alkyl halides

Abstract

A general alkylation of heterocycles using a simple palladium catalyst is reported. Most classes of heterocycles, including indoles and pyridines, efficiently coupled with unactivated secondary and tertiary alkyl halides. An alkyl radical addition to neutral heteroarenes is most likely involved.

Keywords: CH activation; alkyl radicals; heterocycles; palladium; single electron transfer.