To a solution of 43.0 mg (0.12 mmol) of 5-bromo-1,4-dimethyl-6-decyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine in 1 mL of THF was added 17.4 μL (0.12 mmol) of tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) at −78° C. followed by 146.3 μL (0.23 mmol, 1.6 M in hexanes) of n-BuLi. After 30 min, 28.7 μL (0.26 mmol) of trimethoxy boron was added and the resulting mixture was stirred for another 1 h. To the reaction mixture was added slowly 54.2 μL (0.26 mmol, 32 wt %) of peracetic acid and the solution was then warmed to 0° C. over a period of 30 min. The mixture was diluted by 5 mL of H2O and extracted with three 5-mL portions of EtOAc. The combined organic layer was washed with brine, dried (MgSO4) and the solvent was concentrated under diminished pressure. The resulting oil was dissolved in 2 mL of CH2Cl2 at 0° C., followed by the addition of 97.9 μL (0.70 mmol) of triethylamine, 1.4 mg (0.01 mmol) of DMAP and 33.1 μL (0.35 mmol) of acetic anhydride. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 1 h and quenched by the addition of 2 mL of sat aq NH4Cl. The solution was then extracted with three 5-mL portions of EtOAc. The combined organic layer was washed with brine, dried (MgSO4) and the solvent was concentrated under diminished pressure. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on a silica gel column (20 1.7 cm). Elution with 100:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate gave 2b as a yellow oil: yield 28.0 mg (68%); silica gel TLC Rf 0.15 (3:7 EtOAt/hexanes); 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 0.86 (t, 3H, J=6.8 Hz), 1.24-1.28 (m, 16H), 1.60 (quint, 2H, J=7.6 Hz), 1.92 (s, 3H), 2.28 (s, 3H), 2.44 (t, 2H, J=8.0 Hz), 2.82 (t, 2H, J=8.4 Hz), 2.87 (s, 3H) and 3.41 (t, 2H, J=8.4 Hz); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 12.9, 14.1, 20.5, 22.7, 24.6, 28.7, 29.3, 29.5, 29.6, 28.6, 31.9, 32.5, 33.3, 52.8, 120.1, 134.7, 136.5, 149.7, 161.2 and 169.9; mass spectrum, m/z 346.3 (M)+ (theoretical 246.3); mass spectrum (APCI), m/z 347.2696 (M+H)+ (C21H35N2O2 requires 347.2699).
