α-Trifluoromethyl-β-aryl enamines in the synthesis of trifluoromethylated heterocycles by the Fischer and the Pictet–Spengler reactions

α-Trifluoromethyl-β-aryl enamines were successfully used as synthetic equivalents of benzyltrifluoromethyl ketones in both the Fischer indole synthesis and the Pictet–Spengler reaction. Accordingly, 2-trifluoromethyl indoles and a variety of trifluoromethylated 4,5,6,7-terahydro-1H-pyridines including carbolines were synthesized in moderate to good yields.