Synthesis of 2,3-Bis(trifluoromethylseleno) Indoles through an Oxidative Copper-Mediated Domino Reaction.

An oxidative copper-mediated double trifluoromethylselenolation of terminal 2-alkynylanilines using [(bpy)CuSeCF 3 ] 2 is reported, providing a moderately efficient and convenient approach to 2,3-bis(trifluoromethylseleno)indoles. Mechanistic studies show that a cascade sequence of oxidation, trifluoromethylselenolation, 5- endo - dig cyclization, and elimination is involved in this transformation.