1-Hydroxytryptamine derivatives undergo nucleophilic substitution reaction on the indolenitrogen (Na) as a general reaction by the treatment with acid, providing a novel synthetic method for 1-aryltryptamines. Depending on the structures of nucleophiles, 5- and 7-substituted tryptamines can also be produced in addition to the 1-aryltryptamines.
Nucleophilic Substitution Reaction on the Nitrogen of Indole Nucleus: Formation of 1-(Indol-3-yl)indoles upon Reaction of 1-Hydroxyindoles with Indole in Formic Acid
1-(Indol-3-yl)indoles are obtained in excellent to good yields by the reaction of 1-hydroxyindoles with indole in 85% formic acid. Their structures are determined by X-Ray crystallographic analysis and chemical correlations. The unprecidented SN2 mechanism on the indole nitrogen is proposed.