The palladium-catalyzed reaction of ethyl 3-(o-trifluoroacetamidophenyl)-1-propargyl carbonate with piperazines in the presence of Pd (PPh3) 4 in THF at 80° C affords 2- (piperazin-1-ylmethyl) indoles in excellent yields. Good to excellent yields are also obtained with other secondary amines.