Ag(I)-Promoted Dehydroxylation and Site-Selective 1,7-Disulfonylation of Diaryl(1H‑indol-2-yl)methanols

A novel dehydroxylation and site-selective 1,7-disulfonylation reaction of diaryl­(1H-indol-2-yl)­methanols with sodium sulfinates was described. The protocol provided an efficient strategy for the synthesis of disulfonylated 2-(diarylmethyl)­indoles by exploring a range of substrates. The mechanistic studies revealed that silver nitrate served as both a Lewis acid and an oxidant for the sequential 1,7-disulfonylation process leading to the formation of final products.