The reactions of o-iodoaniline (1) with the enolate anions from acetone (2), acetophenone (4), 2-acetylnaphthalene (6), 2acetyl-1-methylpyrrole (8a) and 2-acetylthiophene (8b) in DMSO give respectively the corresponding 2-substituted indoles in 63, 88, 73, 93 and 82% yields. These reactions are proposed to take place by an S RN 1 mechanism. Depending on the ketone enolate ion involved, the reactions can occur under light or Fe(II) salts initiation.