The synthesis of C-3 substituted het(aryl)indole C-nucleoside analogues bearing structurally diverse sugar moieties has been achieved by Sonogashira coupling of terminal sugar alkynes and het(aryl) iodides followed by heteroannulation of the corresponding sugar/het(aryl) alkynes with substituted 2-iodoanilines. This method is simple and general, and is suitable for structurally diverse sugars and various het(aryl) iodides. The terminal sugar alkynes include furanosides, pyranosides, and acyclic sugars with sensitive groups and bulky substituents. The het(aryl) iodides involve iodobenzene, iodothiophene, iodobenzothiophene, and iodobenzofuran. 31 examples have been given and the corresponding 2-het(aryl)indole C-nucleoside analogues are obtained in moderate to excellent yields.
