Carbazole and Triarylpyrrole Synthesis from Anilines and Cyclohexanones or Acetophenones under Transition-Metal-Free Condition

An efficient strategy for carbazoles and 1,2,4-triarylpyrroles synthesis from anilines and cyclohexanones or acetophenones under transition-metal-free conditions is developed. A variety of disubstituted 9-arylcarbazoles were synthesized in moderate to good yields promoted by KI/I2 using anilines as the nitrogen and aryl source. Meanwhile, a variety of 1,2,4-triarylpyrroles were also selectively synthesized from anilines and acetophenones in the presence of KI alone.