Synthesis of substituted indoles and carbazoles from 2-fluorophenyl imines

The synthesis of a series of indole and carbazole derivatives from 2-fluorophenyl imines is reported. 2-Fluoroaniline-d 4 (13) is prepared and used to investigate the mechanism of this indolization. 2-Fluorophenyl enaminone 17 gives the synthetically useful carbazole 20 via a similar indolization and in situ alkylation.