Benzyl Bromide → 4-methoxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole

Participants

Reaction Steps

4-Methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole (1 g, 6.2 mmol) was added to 248 mg (6.2 mmol) of 60% sodium hydride/mineral oil (washed with hexane before adding DMF) in 15 mL of DMF and after stirring for 0.5 hours 0.74 mL (6.2 mmol) of benzyl bromide was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours, diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution was washed with brine, dried (MgSO4) and after concentrating at reduced pressure, the residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 1.3 g (84% yield) of 4-methoxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole, melting at 96-116° C.

Provenance & Evidence