Redox chain reaction-indole and pyrrole alkylation with unactivated secondary alcohols.

Secondary role: Indole and pyrrole derivatives are alkylated with unactivated secondary aliphatic alcohols by a Brønsted acid-catalyzed redox chain reaction mechanism. Broad functional-group tolerance has been demonstrated and preliminary studies suggest that 1,4-reduction of a putative indolyl carbocation is the dominant mechanistic pathway.