Synthesis of Indolines via Base‐Mediated C−H Activation and Defluorinative C−N Coupling, with no Need for Transition‐Metals

Abstract

Syntheses of (partially) aromatic nitrogen heterocycles increasingly rely on transition‐metal catalyzed C–C‐ and C–N‐cross‐coupling reactions. Here we describe a different approach to the synthesis of indolines by a domino C(sp3)–H activation, 1,2‐addition, and defluorinative SNAr‐cyclization sequence to provide the target 1,2‐diarylindolines (1,2‐diaryl‐2,3‐dihydroindoles) from ortho‐fluorinated methyl‐arenes and N‐aryl imines (benzylidene anilines) in a cyclocondensation that is mediated by potassium hexa­methyl­di­silazide (KHMDS) as base exclusively. This transition‐metal‐free process via C–H and C–F bond activation provides a one‐step entry into a wide array of indoline scaffolds (43 examples, up to 96% yield). This privileged substructure is common in natural products and pharmaceuticals alike, and cannot be accessed by traditional condensation reactions.