Synthesis of heteroarylogous 1H-Indole-3-carboxamidines via a three-component interrupted Ugi reaction

A novel one-pot multicomponent synthesis of heteroarylogous 1H-indole-3-carboxamidines starting from readily available N-alkyl-N-(1H-indol-2-ylmethyl)amines, isocyanides, and carbonyl compounds is reported. The strategy exploits the ability of the indole nucleus to interrupt the classical Ugi reaction, by intercepting the nascent nitrilium ion.