Copper-catalyzed tandem annulation/arylation for the synthesis of diindolylmethanes from propargylic alcohols

Various highly substituted 2,3'-diindolylmethane heterocycles were prepared from propargylic alcohols and indole nucleophiles via a transition metal-catalyzed tandem indole annulation/arylation reaction for the first time. Among the metal catalysts we examined, the most economical copper(I) catalyst provided the highest efficiency. The indole nucleophiles could also be replaced by other electron-rich arenes or alcohols.