Abstract:Heterogeneous palladium catalysts ([Pd(NH 3 ) 4 ] 2 þ /NaY and [Pd]/SBA-15) were applied to the synthesis of 2-functionalised indoles, giving generally high conversions and selectivities ( > 89% yield) using only 1 mol % [Pd]-catalyst under standard reaction conditions (polar solvent, 80 8C). For the synthesis of 2,3-functionalised indoles by crosscoupling arylation, the [Pd]/SBA-15 catalyst was found to be particularly interesting, producing the expected compound with ¼ 35% yield after 12 days of reaction, which is comparable to the homogeneous catalyst, Pd(OAc) 2 ( ¼ 48% yield). In the course of the study, the dual reactivity of the indole nucleus was demonstrated: aryl bromides gave clean C À C coupling while aryl iodides led to a clean C À N coupling.