5-Bromoindole → 4-(1H-Indol-5-yl)-butyronitrile

A mixture of 5-bromoindole (0.25 g, 1.25 mmol) and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (0.10 g, 0.12 mmol) was stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere for 10 minutes. 3-cyanopropyl zinc bromide [0.5 M in THF] (5.0 mL, 2.50 mmol) was added to the mixture and heated in the microwave at 100° C. for 15 minutes. The solvent was removed and the crude mixture was purified via column chromatography with silica gel, eluting with hexane/ethyl acetate (4/1) to afford the title compound in 63% yield. 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 8.22 (br, 1H), 7.43 (s, 1H), 7.31 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (s, 1H), 7.00 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 6.49 (s, 1H), 2.86 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 2.28 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.02 (m, 2H). Mass Spectrum (LCMS, ESI) calculated for C12H13N2 185.1 (M+H); found 185.1.