Intermolecular decarboxylative direct C-3 arylation of indoles with benzoic acids.

A palladium catalyzed C-H activation of indoles and a silver catalyzed decarboxylative C-C activation of ortho substituted benzoic acids are synergistically combined to synthesize indoles arylated exclusively in the C-3 position. This novel decarboxylative C-H arylation methodology is compatible with electron-donating and -withdrawing substituents in both coupling partners.