Rapid, robust, clean, catalyst-free synthesis of 2-halo-3-carboxyindoles

A novel synthesis of 2-halo-3-carboxyindoles from 2-(2,2-dihalovinyl)anilines was discovered. Reaction conditions and substrate applicability were studied. Optimally, the reaction takes only minutes when these substrates are heated in DMSO at 120 °C in the presence of cesium carbonate. However, the reaction is robust and takes place at a wide range of temperatures, is tolerant of aqueous reaction conditions, and can be performed in a variety of polar solvent/carbonate base combinations—where the limiting factor is base solubility. A wide range of substituents is tolerated on the 2-(2,2-dihalovinyl)anilines, and yields are generally high, requiring only acidic aqueous work-up to obtain pure products. No catalyst is required for the transformation. The mechanism is believed to involve initial formation of an alkynyl bromide intermediate followed by ring closure and carbon dioxide trapping, leading to product formation.