Ru(II)-Catalyzed C-H Aminocarbonylation of N-(Hetero)aryl-7-azaindoles with Isocyanates.

The ruthenium(II)-catalyzed C-H aminocarbonylation of N-(hetero)aryl-7-azaindoles with isocyanates is described. The excellent site selectivity at the ortho-position within the N-(hetero)aryl ring was observed to provide ortho-amidated N-(hetero)aryl-7-azaindoles under the mild reaction conditions. The resulting 7-azaindole derivatives can be readily transformed into 7-azaindoles containing carboxylic acid and alkyl amine functional groups.