Synthesis of indoles and quinazolines via additive-controlled selective C-H activation/annulation of N-arylamidines and sulfoxonium ylides.

Selective synthesis of indole and quinazoline products was achieved through a precise control of the C-H activation/annulation by changing the additives from NaOAc to CuF2/CsOAc. This strategy constructs indole and quinazoline scaffolds efficiently, and hence is of great interest in pharmaceutical, agricultural and chemical industries.