Direct Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation from Alcohols and Active Methylenes, Alkoxyketones, or Indoles Catalyzed by Indium Trichloride

The unsalted variety: The direct coupling reaction of alcohols with active methylenes, alkoxyketones, or indoles catalyzed by InCl3 proceeds without the formation of metal salts (see scheme). As H2O is the only by‐product of this system, the alkylated products are easily isolated in pure form, and the reaction is suitable for large‐scale synthesis.