Ruthenium-catalyzed regioselective C2 alkenylation of indoles and pyrroles via C-H bond functionalization.

An efficient ruthenium-catalyzed oxidative coupling of indoles and pyrroles with various alkenes at the C2-position assisted by employing the N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl moiety as a directing group is reported. The catalytic reaction proceeds in an excellent regio- and stereoselective manner.