Theoretical studies on the mechanism of Pd2+-catalyzed regioselective C-H alkylation of indole with MesICH2CF3OTf

The reaction mechanism of Pd2+-catalyzed regioselective C–H alkylation indole with MesICH2CF3OTf has been investigated by the density functional theory calculations. mainly contains four steps: activation, oxidative addition, reductive elimination, and ligands substitution. From our calculations, we find that activation step was realized acetate anion (−OAc) assisted concerted metalation deprotonation (CMD) process transition state is a square planar configuration. Moreover, calculation results suggest regioselectivity bond can be ascribed to different stability CMD states in relative stabilities deprotonated intermediates.