A new route to the versatile synthesis of thiopyrano[2,3-b:6,5-b′]diindoles via 2-(alkylthio)-indole-3-carbaldehydes

A versatile synthesis of symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted thiopyrano2,3-b:6,5-b′]diindoles has been developed by the condensation of 2-(alkylthio)-indole-3-carbaldehydes with indoline-2-thiones in the presence of catalytic amount of ethylenediamine diacetate (EDDA). The EDDA mediated condensation leads to a spontaneous cyclization followed by aromatization to form thiopyrano2,3-b:6,5-b′]diindoles in quantitative yields.