An efficient and concise synthesis of Indiacen A and Indiacen B

Abstract A novel total synthesis of antimicrobial prenyl indoles, Indiacen A and its chloro analogue Indiacen B has been accomplished by using Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination for terminal conjugated enynes, carboalumination, chlorination and Vilsmeier-Haack formylation as the key transformations.