“…20 In recent times, molecular iodine has emerged as a green and environmentally benign reagent and has been successfully employed as a catalyst in different organic transformations forming new C–C, C–N, C–O, and C–S bonds in organic compounds. 21 It is naturally abundant, inexpensive, nontoxic, environmentally friendly, and active even in very small amounts. 22 Inspired by its catalytic activeness and economic viability, 23 we herein report a green, efficient, and economical strategy for C-3 selective benzylation of indoles employing molecular iodine as a catalyst under ligand-, metal-, and base-free conditions (Scheme 1).…”