Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Indoles and Isoquinolines with in Situ Generated Phosphinimine.

A palladium-catalyzed synthesis of polysubstituted indoles and isoquinolines through the coupling of aryl bromides with 2-alkynyl arylazides or 2-alkynyl benzylazides has been developed. This method provides straightforward access to indoles and isoquinolines with high efficiency and excellent functional group compatibility. In this transformation, the iminophosphorane in situ generated from azides is served as the nucleophile that attacks the alkyne moiety in the cyclization process.