Synthesis of Indole-Substituted Indanones via Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Tandem Reaction of ortho-Electron-Deficient Alkynyl-Substituted Aryl Aldehydes with Indoles.

A Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed cyclization reaction of ortho-electron-deficient alkynyl-substituted aryl aldehydes with indoles was accomplished, providing an efficient and economical way to synthesize indole-substituted indanones. The electron-withdrawing group attached to the alkyne and the nucleophilic indole play important roles in the formation of the indanone ring.