Formation of indole nucleus via intramolecular cyclization of aminophenylpropenyltriphenylphosphonium salts with one-carbon degradation

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(02)02199-8

Treatment of 3-(2-aminophenyl)-2-propenyltriphenylphosphonium bromide with acid anhydride and tertiary amine affords 1,3-diacylindoles in yields ranging from 22 to 64%. A plausible mechanism of this new cyclization reaction is described.