Fluoroazaindolines by an uncommon radical ipso-substitution of a C-F bond

Trifluoroazaindoline derivatives are prepared using the first synthetically useful radical ipso-substitution of a fluorine atom. The initial procedure has been improved to allow the gram scale synthesis of these building blocks, which can be regioselectively substituted by nucleophiles under mild conditions to rapidly access a library of new molecules. Oxidation to the corresponding fluoroazaindole core has also been accomplished.