An efficient water-mediated synthetic route for the alkylation of heteroarenes

An efficient synthetic route has been described for the alkylation of 1$H$-indole, 1$H$-benzimidazole, and 1$H$-benzotriazole. This approach features the alkylation of heteroaromatics through in situ generated enones from ketonic Mannich bases under metal-free conditions. A series of alkylated heteroaromatics have been synthesized via the K10 catalyzed alkylation reactions of these heteroaromatics with a variety of ketonic Mannich bases. Environmentally benign K10 catalyst, water-mediated mild reaction conditions, and the efficient synthesis of alkylated products are the advantages of this alkylation method.