Catalysis Letters, Vol.98, No.2-3, 117-121, 2004
Bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride for alkylation of heteroaromatics and synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes
Bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride catalyzed alkylation of heteroaromatics with epoxides results in the formation of 3-alkylated heteroaromatics in high yields. Cp2ZrCl2 is also found to be an efficient catalyst for the electrophilic substitution reaction of indoles with aldehydes and ketones to afford the corresponding bis(indolyl)methanes in high yields with complete regioselectivity.