Methyl-6-methoxy-2-indolecarboxylate → 6-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a suspension of LiAlH4 (7.6 g, 0.2 mol) in dioxane (100 mL) was added dropwise a solution of methyl 6-methoxy-1H-indole-2-carboxylate (8.2 g, 0.04 mol) in dioxane (50 mL) at 0° C. After the addition, the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h and then heated at reflux for 5 h. After cooling to 0° C., the reaction was quenched by water (dropwise) and then 15% aqueous NaOH. After stirring at room temperature for 1 h, the mixture was filtered through Celite. The solid was washed with large amount of EtOAc. The solvent was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4 and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel using EtOAc/petroleum ether (1/5) as eluent to yield 61% of 6-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole.

Provenance & Evidence