The first example of the C-3 alkylation of indoles with cyclopropyl ketones promoted by CeCl3·7H2O/LiI

Indoles undergo smooth alkylation with cyclopropyl ketones in the presence of the CeCl3·7H2O/LiI reagent system in refluxing acetonitrile under neutral conditions to produce the corresponding C-3 substituted indole derivatives in good to high yields and with high selectivity. The use of CeCl3·7H2O/LiI makes this method simple, convenient, and cost-effective.