Catalyst-free and atom-economic synthesis of substituted 1-acetyl and 1-hydroxyl carbazoles

The first-ever Diels-Alder reactions of 3-alkenyl indoles with a conjugated alkynyl ketone are reported. These reactions proceed in an atom-economic manner without a catalyst and give various substituted 1-acetyl carbazoles in moderate to excellent yields. These products can be converted to 1-hydroxyl carbazoles in high yields under mild reaction conditions.