Pd(II)-catalyzed synthesis of indoles from α-aryloxime O-pentafluorobenzoates via intramolecular aromatic C–H amination

α-Aryl-α-aminocarbonyloxime O-pentafluorobenzoates are found to be promising precursors for synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted indole derivatives catalyzed by PdCl2(MeCN)2 in the presence of MgO as a base. The reaction is supposed to proceed via intramolecular aromatic C–H amination of a vinyl nitrene–palladium intermediate.