Facile Iodine-Catalyzed Michael Addition of Indoles to 𝜶,𝜶^′-Bis(arylmethylene)cyclopentanones: An Efficient Synthesis of E-2-(3-Indolylphenylmethyl)-5-phenylmethylenecyclopentanones

Table 1

Screening for optimum reaction conditions^a.

Entry	Catalyst (mol%)	Solvent	Time (h)	Yield^b (%)
1	10	Dichloromethane	4	60
2	10	Dichloromethane	2	40
3	10	Dichloromethane	6	63
4	10	Ethanol	4	0
5	10	Tetrahydrofuran	4	40
6	5	Dichloromethane	4	45
7	5	Dichloromethane	10	65
8	10	1,4-Dioxane	4	50

^aConditions: 1a (1 mmol), 2a (1.1 mmol), and solvent (5 mL).
^bYield after column chromatography.