Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Direct C3- and C7-Alkenylations of Indazoles: Application to the Synthesis of Gamendazole.

The first palladium-catalyzed oxidative alkenylation of (1H)- and (2H)-indazole derivatives with various olefins is described. The use of Pd(OAc)2 as the catalyst and Ag2CO3 as the oxidant promoted the selective C3-monoalkenylation of (1H)-indazoles and (2H)-indazoles, affording the desired products in good yields. An original oxidative C7-alkenylation of 3-substituted (1H)-indazoles was also developed. The oxidative alkenylation of (1H)-indazole was successfully applied to the total synthesis of the drug candidate gamendazole in a step- and atom-economical fashion.