5-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid was prepared following the procedure reported in Synthesis (1980) 727. 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (Aldrich) was deprotonated with sodium hydride in HMPA and the resulting phenolate alkylated with 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl tosylate (Aldrich). The resulting trifluoroethyl ether was then converted to the indole using the Batcho-Leimgruber protocol. Formylation and oxidation as described in herein gave the title compound as an off-white solid. MS (m/e) 260.
