A simple, convenient, and efficient synthesis of 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2,3′-biindolin-3-one derivatives has been developed by the oxidative trimeric reaction of indoles using the TEMPO/CuCl2 catalyst system under ambient air. This methodology provides an alternative approach for the direct generation of all-carbon quaternary centers at the C-2 position of indoles.
Pd-rGO and Au–Pd-rGO nanocomposite catalysts were synthesized using microwave ‘on-water’. The catalysts were applied in the synthesis of 2,2-bis(indol-3-yl)indolin-3-ones). Comparatively, Au–Pd-rGO nanocomposite showed better activity.