Catalyst halo-nickel complexes

This reaction was first reported by Mori and Ban in 1976. It is a synthesis of indole derivatives by an intramolecular Heck Reaction of o-halo-fV-aUylanilines catalyzed by a low-valent metal complex and is known as the Mori-Ban indole synthesis. In this reaction, the low-valent metal can be nickel or palladium, but the ortho halogen must be bromine or iodine. Often the o-iodo-fV-allylaniline is more reactive than corresponding o-bromo substrate. In addition, it has been found that the catalyst can be deactivated under the reaction conditions, thus aperiodic provision of fresh catalyst normally gives higher overall yields than that using the same total amount of catalyst at once. ... 

---