Synthesis of 3‐Arylindole‐2‐carboxylates via Copper‐Catalyzed Hydroarylation of o‐Nitrophenyl‐Substituted Alkynoates and Subsequent Cadogan Cyclization

A two‐step route to biologically important 3‐arylindole‐2‐carboxylic esters has been successfully established: o‐nitrophenyl‐substituted alkynoates underwent copper‐catalyzed hydroarylation in the presence of commercially available arylboronic acids to afford 3,3‐diarylacrylates, which were then converted to indolecarboxylates via a modified Cadogan cyclization using a molybdenum catalyst and triphenylphosphine.