Copper-catalyzed N-arylation of azoles and diazoles using highly functionalized trivalent organobismuth reagents

The N -arylation of indoles, indazoles, pyrroles, and pyrazoles using highly functionalized trivalent arylbismuth reagents is reported. The reaction is promoted by a substoichiometric amount of copper acetate, and it tolerates a wide diversity of functional groups on the azole and the organobismuth reagent. The method is also applied to the N -arylation of tryptophan derivatives.