Water → Methyl 5-methoxy-1-methyl-3-(methylthio)-1H-indole-2-carboxylate

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Reaction Steps

A suspension of 60% sodium hydride in mineral oil (0.30 g, 7.5 mmol) in 3.0 mL of N,N-dimethylformamide is cooled in ice while a solution of methyl 5-methoxy-3-(methylthio)-1H-indole-2-carboxylate (1.3 g, 5.2 mmol) in 10 mL of N,N-dimethylformamide is added dropwise. The mixture is stirred for 45 minutes, then iodomethane (0.50 mL, 1.1 g, 8.0 mmol) is added in one portion. After stirring at room temperature for 8 hours, the mixture is added to 100 g of ice and water. The solid is filtered and washed with 10% methanol-water to yield 1.2 g (88%) of product. A sample purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, 25% hexane in dichloromethane elution) and recrystallized from hexane has mp 89°-91° C.

Provenance & Evidence