A convenient synthesis of pyrrolopyridines and 2-substituted indoles by gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization

We have developed a gold-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of variously substituted acetylenic amines under mild conditions, which yields pyrrolopyridines and 2-substituted indoles, quantitatively. The cycloisomerization of acetylenic amines was achieved with AuCl3 as catalyst without the use of base, acid or N-protecting group.