To a solution of 5-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indole (1.6 g, 4.4 mmol, synthesized as described in Example 22A) in THF (10 mL), under N2, at −78° C., was added n-BuLi (2.5 M solution in hexanes, 2.15 mL, 5.37 mmol) dropwise. After stirring at −78° C. for 30 min, methyl iodide (0.94 g, 6.6 mmol) was added. After 30 min, the −78° C. bath was removed. The solution was warmed to rt. 5% HCl (10 mL) was then added and the mixture was partitioned between EtOAc and water. The organic phase was washed with water and sat'd brine, dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (20-70% EtOAc-hexanes gradient) to afford the title compound (0.8 g, 77% yield): MS (ES) m/z 478 (M+1).
