N-cyclopropylation of indoles and cyclic amides with copper(II) reagent.

Copper-mediated coupling reactions of cyclopropylboronic acid with indoles and cyclic amides are described. The process utilizes catalytic or stoichiometric amounts of copper(II) acetate, DMAP, and NaHMDS at 95 °C under an atmosphere containing oxygen. A variety of functional groups remain intact throughout the reaction.