A simple route to polysubstituted indoles exploiting azide induced furan ring opening.

A straightforward, efficient indole synthesis based on thermolysis of 2-(2-azidobenzyl)furans with attack of the formed nitrene moiety onto the ipso position of furan ring has been developed. The cyclization is accompanied by furan ring opening and affords indoles with a 2-acylvinyl substituent suitable for further modifications.