Friedel-Crafts acylation of pyrroles and indoles using 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN) as a nucleophilic catalyst.

1,5-Diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN) has been shown to be an effective catalyst for the regioselective Friedel-Crafts C-acylation of pyrroles and indoles in high yields. A detailed mechanistic study implies that DBN is acting as a nucleophilic organocatalyst, with the X-ray crystal structure of a key N-acyl-amidine intermediate having been determined for the first time.