A solution of 7-formyl indole (Example 10a (iv) (2 g, 13.8 mmole) in dry dimethyl formamide (40 ml) was cooled in an ice bath and stirred as sodium hydride (60% dispersion in mineral oil) (0.66 g, 16.5 mmole) was added in portions over 10 minutes. The mixture was stirred for a further 30 minutes, then a solution of 3-[2-(E)-quinolin-2-yl ethenyl]benzyl chloride (Example 1b) (4.24 g, 15.2 mmole) in dry THF (12 ml) was added over 2 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 days, then poured into water, extracted into ethyl acetate, dried and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica, eluting with ethyl acetate-hexane (1:3) to give the product.
