Indole 3-alkylation/vinylation under catalysis of the guanidinium ionic liquids

Two ionic liquids, N,N,N,N-tetramethylguanidinium trifluoroacetate (TMGT) and the unprecedented N,N,N,N-tetramethylguanidinium triflate (TMGTf), were used as catalyst solvents in condensations between indoles and arylaldehydes or 1,3-diketones providing a simple and efficient method for synthesis of bis(3-indolyl)methanes or casually 3-alkenylindoles due to stereoelectronic concerns of reactants. The ionic liquids are easily separated and reused for several times.