Gold-catalyzed sequential alkyne activation: one-pot synthesis of NH-carbazoles via cascade hydroarylation of alkyne/6-endo-dig carbocyclization reactions.

A simple and efficient one-pot protocol for the synthesis of NH-carbazoles has been described. The strategy comprises a one-pot reaction involving the treatment of 2-alkynyl indoles with arylacetylenes in the presence of an Au-Ag combination catalyst. The salient feature of the strategy involves sequential activation of terminal and internal alkynes leading to the cascade hydroarylation of terminal alkynes and 6-endo-dig carbocyclization reactions. The generality of the method has been demonstrated by using a series of 2-alkynyl indoles and arylacetylenes.