Indirect regioselective heteroarylation of indoles through a Friedel–Crafts reaction with (E)-1,4-diaryl-2-buten-1,4-diones

A two-step synthesis of 3-heteroaryl indoles has been developed. The first step of the sequence involves a Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indoles with 1,4-diaryl-2-buten-1,4-diones to give the corresponding indoles bearing a 1,4-dicarbonyl moiety. The reaction is catalyzed by InCl3 and takes place with good yields. Cyclization of the diones under different Paal–Knorr conditions allows to prepare indoles substituted at the C3 position with 3-furanyl, 3-pyrrolyl- and 3-thienyl moieties.