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A new pathway to the synthesis of N-arylindoles has been developed that proceeds through an iron-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction between diynes and indole-N-alkynes. The reaction is carried out in ethanol and employs a catalyst system that consists of iron(II) chloride tetrahydrate as the metal source, 2-[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)iminometh-yl]pyridine (dipimp) as the ligand, and zinc as the reducing agent. The method provides efficient access to 3-carbonyl/ ester-substituted (indol-1-yl)arenes in good to excellent yields under green reaction conditions, and these products are structurally similar to other N-arylindole derivatives with potential medicinal value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]