Methyl iodide → 1H-Indole, 1-methyl-5-nitro-

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 5-nitro-1H-indole (2.0 g, 12.3 mmol) in acetone (20 ml), powdered potassium hydroxide (3.4 g, 60.7 mmol, 5 eq) was added followed by the addition methyl iodide (2.61 g, 18.5 mmol, 1.5 eq) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 10 hr. The solvent was evaporated and water was added. The compound was extracted with ethyl acetate, dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, filtered and the organic layer was concentrated to dryness to yield 1-methyl-5-nitro-1H-indole (2.0 g, 92%). The crude compound was used in the next stage without purification.

Provenance & Evidence