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The construction of N -unsubstituted vs N -sulfonyl indole ring was studied using propargylamine as the terminal alkyne in the presence of Pd/Cu catalysts under environmentally friendly conditions. [Display omitted] • Construction of N -unsubstituted vs N -sulfonyl indole ring was studied. • Propargylamines were explored as the terminal alkyne reactants. • The Pd/Cu-catalyzed reactions proceeded under environmentally friendly conditions. • A library of small molecules of potential biological interest was accessed. The Pd/Cu-catalyzed tandem coupling–cyclization- N -deprotection in a single pot (Method a) vs sequential coupling–cyclization under similar conditions (Method b) has been studied using propargylamine as a terminal alkyne under environmentally friendly conditions. The first sequence (Method a) was followed to afford the N -unsubstituted indoles when 2,2,2-trifluoro- N -(2-iodophenyl)acetamides were employed as halides whereas N -sulfonyl indoles were obtained following the second path (Method b) when 2-iodo sulfanilides were used as halides. A number of compounds based on either the framework indolo[2,3– b ]quinoxaline-indole or a similar framework possessing a sulfonyl group at the indole nitrogen were obtained in good yield employing the Method a or b, respectively. While the study was carried out with the goal of accessing a library of indolo[2,3– b ]quinoxaline-indole based small molecules of potential biological interest (especially as anti-tubercular agents) the generality/scope of Method a was expanded further via the synthesis of simpler indole derivatives using various other propargylamines as terminal alkynes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]