Synthesis of N-aroyl-2-arylindoles using solid calcium carbide as an alkyne source instead of gaseous acetylene

Abstract

An efficient method for the synthesis of N-aroyl-2-arylindoles by reactions of 2 mol of various N-(2-iodoaryl)arylamides with 1 mol of calcium carbide through one-step procedure is described. This protocol has the salient features of the use of an inexpensive, abundant and easy-to-handle solid calcium carbide instead of flammable and explosive gaseous acetylene as an original alkyne source. In addition, wide scope of substrates, satisfactory yield, and simple workup procedures are also advantages of this method.