Iridium-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative α-Functionalization of (Hetero)aryl-Fused Cyclic Secondary Amines with Indoles.

Herein, by employing dehydrogenation as a substrate-activating strategy, a new iridium-catalyzed direct α-functionalization of (hetero)aryl-fused cyclic secondary amines with indoles has been demonstrated, which proceeds with merits that include high step- and atom-efficiency, readily available feedstocks, a simple catalyst system, good functional group tolerance, and operational simplicity.