Efficient method for the synthesis of 2,3-unsubstituted nitro containing indoles from o-fluoronitrobenzenes.

A methodology was developed for the efficient synthesis of 2,3-unsubstituted nitro containing indoles via acid catalyzed intramolecular electrophilic cyclization. Subsequent reduction of nitro groups allows the construction of some indole fused heterocycles and indole quinone diimines. This strategy provides an efficient method for the preparation of biologically and medicinally interesting molecules.