Methyl p-toluenesulfonate → 5-Bromo-1-methyl-1H-indole

Participants

Reaction Steps

Sodium hydride (440 mg of a 60% dispersion in paraffin wax) was added to a stirred solution of 5-bromoindole (1.96 g, 10 mmol) in dimethylformamide (20 ml) at ambient temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere. After 30 minutes methyl p-toluenesulphonate (2.05 g 11 mmol) was added. After 20 hours the mixture was partitioned between diethyl ether and water. The organic layer was separated and washed twice with water. The organic layer was dried (magnesium sulphate) and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (using 50% hexane, 50% dichloromethane as eluant) to give 2.07 g of product as a waxy solid.

Provenance & Evidence