Abstract Thallation of anilides with TTFA in a mixture of TFA and ether gives ortho-thallated derivatives, which yield 2-acetamido-tolanes upon reaction with copper (I) phenylacetylide in acetonitrile. Treatment of the latter compounds with palladium (II) chloride results in ring closure to give 1-acyl-2-phenylindoles, from which 2-phenyl-indoles are obtained by alkaline hydrolysis.
