Efficient and Straightforward Synthesis of Tetrahydrocarbazoles and 2,3-Dimethyl Indoles Catalyzed by CAN

A simple protocol was established to synthesize 2,3-dialkyl indoles and various tetrahydrocarbazoles via Fischer indole synthesis. This method uses ceric ammonium nitrate as a catalyst for the Fischer indole synthesis with substituted phenyl hydrazine hydrochlorides and 2-butanone, phenyl propanal, and cyclohexanone. This process is a practical synthetic method for the preparation of various 2,3-disubstituted alkyl indoles and tetrahydrocarbazoles.