We report a chelation-assisted C–H
arylation of various
indoles with sterically and electronically diverse (hetero)arylsilanes
enabled by cost-effective Cp*-free cobalt catalysis. Key to the success
of this strategy is the judicious choice of copper(II) fluoride as
a bifunctional sliane activator and catalyst reoxidant. This methodology
features a broad substrate scope and good functional group compatibility.
The synthetic versatility of this protocol has been highlighted by
the gram-scale synthesis and late-stage diversification of biologically
active molecules.