Abstract

Epoxides undergo smooth ring opening with N-heterocyclic compounds such as indoles and pyrroles in the presence of a catalytic amount of bismuth triflate under mild conditions to produce C-alkylated indole and pyrrole derivatives in high yields with a high regioselectivity. Imidazole and benzotriazole affords N-alkylated products under identical conditions.

Keywords: Epoxides, bismuth compounds, N-heterocycles, tryptophol derivatives