One-pot atom swap chemistry allows direct indole-to-benzimidazole conversion

Single-atom swaps are rare because strong bonds in molecular frameworks are difficult to break selectively. But Bill Morandi’s group at ETH Zürich in Switzerland has reported a carbon-to-nitrogen swap in N-alkyl indoles, directly converting them into the corresponding benzimidazoles. This one-pot reaction uses simple, commercially available reagents with no need for metal catalysts or protecting groups.