Acetic Acid → 2-[(1H-Indol-7-ylmethyl)amino]-ethan-1-ol

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 7-formyl indole (2.4 g, 16.6 mmol) in 1,2-dichloroethane (60 mL) was added aminoethanol (1.2 mL, 19.8 mmol) followed by glacial acetic acid (2.0 mL) and sodium triacetoxyborohydride (3.5 g, 16.6 mmol). The reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was quenched by addition of water (10 mL) and 1.0 M sodium hydroxide (10 mL). The organic layer was then separated and the aqueous layer extracted with 1,2-dichloroethane (40 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate (2×30 mL), water (2×50 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. 2-[(1H-indol-7-ylmethyl)-amino]-ethanol (4.4 g) was obtained as an oil LCMS (M+H)=189.

Provenance & Evidence