Gold-Catalyzed Intermolecular, anti-Markovnikov Hydroarylation of Methylenecyclopropanes with Indoles.

Cationic gold complexes containing an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand catalyze the intermolecular anti-Markovnikov hydroarylation of monosubstituted and cis- and trans-disubstituted methylenecyclopropanes (MCPs) with N-alkyl and 1,2-dialkyl indoles to form the corresponding 3-(cyclopropylmethyl)indoles in high regio- and diastereoselectivity and in good to excellent chemical yield.