Dehalogenation and Barbier-type hydroxyalkylation of π-deficient haloheterocycles using indium

The reaction of π-deficient haloheterocycles with indium metal in water gave corresponding dehalogenated heterocycles. The use of diluted hydrochloric acid instead of water accelerated the reductive reactivity of indium metal. Furthermore, Barbier-type additions proceeded by reactions of α-iodoheterocycles with indium in the presence of pivalaldehyde.