Pyridinium tribromide catalyzed condensation of indoles and aldehydes to form bisindolylalkanes

An efficient synthetic method for bis(indol-3-yl)alkane derivatives has been developed. In the presence of 5 mol% of pyridinium tribromide (PTB), the condensation of indoles and aldehydes proceeded smoothly under mild conditions, giving rise to the corresponding bis(indol-3-yl)alkanes in good to excellent yields.