Epichlorohydrin → {4-[(Oxiran-2-yl)methoxy]-1H-indol-6-yl}methanol

Participants

Reaction Steps

3.3 g. of the 4-hydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl-indole thus prepared were dissolved in 30 ml. epichlorohydrin. To this solution were added dropwise, while stirring at ambient temperature, over the course of 1 hour, 20 ml. 2 N sodium methylate solution. After about 5 hours, the starting material had reacted. The solution was evaporated in a vacuum and the residue was mixed with water, as well as with a mixture of diethyl ether and ethyl acetate. The organic phase was shaken out several times with water, subsequently dried, treated with active charcoal and evaporated. The crude 4-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-6-hydroxymethyl-indole thus obtained (about 5 g. of a brownish oil) contains, as by-product, some 4-(2-hydroxy-3-chloropropoxy)-6-hydroxymethyl-indole but was further used without further purification.

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