The N-alkyl-2, 7-dihalocarbazole as the main product was formed by the reaction of 4, 4′- dihalo-2-nitrobiphenyl with aromatic nitro compound and trialkyl phosphite. The presence and crucial role of aromatic nitro compound causes simultaneous carbazole ring closure and N-alkylation unlike the Cadogan ring closure where non-alkylated carbazole is formed as a main product. In addition, the mixture of aromatic nitro compound and trialkyl ...