Trifluoroacetic acid → 4-[3-(2-Methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-propyl]-benzoic acid methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 2-Methyl-1H-indole (0.86 g, 5.2 mmol) and 4-(3-Oxo-propyl)-benzoic acid methyl ester (1.0 g, 5.2 mmol) in methylene chloride (50 mL), was added TFA (1.78 g, 15.6 mmol), followed by triethylsilane (1.81 g, 15.6 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred overnight, quenched with sat. NaHCO3 solution (50 mL), and the organic layer was washed with sat. NaHCO3 solution, water, brine, and dried (Na2SO4). Solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was purified by flash column chromatography with 10–20% EtOAc/hexanes to yield the desired 4-[3-(2-Methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-propyl]-benzoic acid methyl ester in 88% (1.67 g) yield.

Provenance & Evidence