Facile synthesis of 4- and 7-azaindoles from the corresponding imines by palladium-catalyzed cascade C-C and C-N coupling.

The cyclization of 2,3-dihalopyridines with readily available imines provides a convenient and regioselective approach to 4- and 7-azaindoles. The regioselectivity can be controlled by the choice of the halogen atoms at the pyridine ring (chlorine versus bromine).