An FeCl3-catalyzed highly C3-selective Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indoles with alcohols

The FeCl3-catalyzed C3-selective Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indoles using allylic, benzylic and propargylic alcohols has been developed. The reaction was performed in the presence of a catalytic amount of inexpensive anhydrous FeCl3 (10 mol %) in nitromethane under mild conditions. This method can also be used for the alkylation of pyrrole.