Abstract A new route for the synthesis of 1, 3-disubstituted indoles, based on (N- arylaminomethyl)-diphenylphosphine oxide (1) chemistry, is described. Adducts 2, obtained by addition of the carbanions from 1 to aldehydes, were treated with p-toluenesulfonic acid to form the desired indoles 4 in good yields, without isolation of the intermediate amino ketones 3.