TEMPO/CuI synergetic catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of indoles with benzylamines: Synthesis of bis(indolyl)phenylmethanes

TEMPO/CuI was found to be an effective catalyst for the cross-coupling of indoles with benzylic amines affording the corresponding bis(indolyl)phenylmethanes under air atmosphere at room temperature in good to excellent yields. The efficiency, easy workup, simplicity, and chemoselectivity of this protocol provide a green and low-cost procedure for the synthesis of these compounds.