Decarboxylative halogenation of indoles by vanadium haloperoxidases

Chem Commun (Camb). 2023 Nov 30;59(96):14289-14292. doi: 10.1039/d3cc04053d.

Abstract

Halogenated heteroarenes are key building blocks across numerous chemical industries. Here, we report that vanadium haloperoxidases are capable of producing 3-haloindoles through decarboxylative halogenation of 3-carboxyindoles. This biocatalytic method is applicable to decarboxylative chlorination, bromination, and iodination in moderate to high yields and with excellent chemoselectivity.