Synthesis of Indoles Using Cyclization of Imidoyl Radicals

Imidoyl radicals, generated from imidoyl phenylselanide precursors, have been used for the synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted indoles. A facile high yielding synthesis of imidoyl phenylselanides has been developed. The potential for neophyl rearrangement of 5-exo radical intermediates to 6-endo radical intermediates is discussed.