Cobalt-catalyzed direct carbonylative 3-acylation of (N-H)Indoles with alkyl halides.

A cobalt-catalyzed approach to intermolecular carbonylative 3-acylation of heterocycles via C-H functionalization is described. This transformation enables the direct C-H acylation of indoles and pyrroles with alkyl halides. Notably, this procedure is also compatible with indoles containing unprotected NH groups. Overall, this methodology represents an atom-economical and general strategy for synthesizing alkyl-(hetero)aryl ketones.