2-Methylindole → 1-Benzyl-2-methylindole

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 13.11 g (0.1 mole) of 2-methylindole, 13.92 g (0.11 mole) of benzyl chloride, 33 g (0.5 mole) of 85% KOH, 14 mL of H2O, 2.5 g (2.5 mmoles) of PEG-1000, and 100 mL of toluene was stirred and heated at 60° for 23 hours. After cooling to room temperature, 100 mL of H2O was added. The layers were separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with 100 mL of toluene. The combined toluene phases were washed 2N HCl (2×50 mL), H2O (2×50 mL), and 50 mL of brine and dried over MgSO4. Evaporation of the solvent left 26.98 g of dark brown oil. The oil was chromatographed on a 1100 g column of silica gel. The column was eluted with 25% CH2Cl2 -Skellysolve B and 200 mL fractions were collected. The fractions were assayed by silica gel tlc (1×4") (25% CH2Cl2 -Skellysolve B). Fractions 20-22 were combined giving 2.08 g (9%) of 1-benzyl-2-methylindole as a yellow oil which solidified.

Provenance & Evidence