Maleic Anhydride → 2,4-Bis(1-ethyl-2-methyl-3-indolyl)-4-oxobutanoic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A stirred mixture of 160.0 g (0.97 mole) of 1-ethyl-2-methylindole (95 percent assay), 40.0 g (0.408 mole) of maleic anhydride and 700 ml of benzene was heated at reflux for a period of approximately eighteen hours and then cooled to ambient temperature. The separated solid was collected by filtration and dried in vacuo at 60° C. to obtain 52.4 g of 2,4-bis(1-ethyl-2-methyl-3-indolyl)-4-oxobutanoic acid (Formula VII: R=CH3CH2 ; R1 =CH3 ; Y=H), a white solid melting over the range of 221°-225° C.

Provenance & Evidence