Molecular Iodine-Catalyzed Selective C-3 Benzylation of Indoles with Benzylic Alcohols: A Greener Approach toward Benzylated Indoles.

Iodine-catalyzed selective C-3 benzylation of indoles with benzylic alcohols is developed. The reaction proceeds with molecular iodine as the catalyst under ligand-, metal-, and base-free conditions and tolerates wide functionalities. The experimental observations account for the halogen-bond activation mechanistic pathway for the molecular iodine catalysis.