3-Aryl-2-unsubstituted indoles through the palladium-catalysed reaction of o-ethynyltrifluoroacetanilide with aryl iodides

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1997-1039

The reaction of the readily available o-ethynyltrifluoroacetanilide with aryl iodides in the presence of catalytic amounts of Pd₂dba₃, an excess of K₂CO₃, in DMSO at 40°C affords 2-unsubstituted-3-arylindoles in good yield. Subjection of o-ethynyltrifluoroacetanilide to the same reaction conditions in the absence of aryl iodides gives rise to the formation of indole in high yield.