A solvent-free protocol for facile condensation of indoles with carbonyl compounds using silica chloride as a new, highly efficient, and mild catalyst

A simple and efficient solvent-free procedure for the preparation of bis(indolyl)methanes via electrophilic substitution reactions of indoles with aldehydes and ketones is described. The reactions took place in the presence of a catalytic amount of silica chloride at room temperature. The advantages of this method are high yields, short reaction times, low cost, and compliance with green-chemistry protocols.