A facile synthesis of indolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazoles via palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization

A new efficient synthesis of indolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazoles by the palladium-catalyzed cyclization of N-(2-bromoaryl)carbazoles is described. The reaction involves intramolecular C–C bond formation, coupled with the cleavage of a C–X bond and a C–H bond on carbazole ring. Substitutions on N-aryl core with either electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups are introduced, and different reaction factors for cyclization are evaluated.