New indole synthesis starting with o-methylphenyl isocyanides such as o-tolyl, 2,4-xylyl, and 2,6-xylyl isocyanide is described in full detail. Treatment of o-tolylisocyanide with LDA in diglyme at −78 °C generated selectively o-(lithiomethyl)phenyl isocyanide in an almost quantitative yield, which on warming up to room temperature was cyclized to indole after aqueous workup. Similary, 2,4-xylyl and
A 1,4-addition reaction of o-lithiomethylphenyl isocyanide to α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid esters gives, after acid hydrolysis, γ -(o-aminophenyl)butyric acid esters, which are heated at 180°C to afford 1,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2H-1-benzazepin-2-one derivatives.