A general and practical method of alkynyl indole and benzofuran synthesis via tandem Cu- and Pd-catalyzed cross-couplings

A new tandem coupling approach to synthesize 2-alkynyl indoles and benzofurans is described. This reaction utilizes easily accessible gem-dibromovinyl substrates and terminal alkynes and proceeds via Pd/C- and CuI-catalyzed tandem Ullman/Sonogashira couplings.