Tin (IV) chloride catalysed synthesis of di(indolyl)methanes during electrophilic substitution of indoles and 2-methyl indoles

Abstract

An efficient methodology has been developed for the synthesis of di(indolyl)methanes in moderate to good yields during the study of the reactions of indole and 2-methyl indole using a series of aliphatic ketones in the presence of stannic chloride. It appears worth mentioning that with 2-methyl indole and acetone and ethyl methyl ketone the highly “elusive” indolylcarbinols, the postulated intermediates in the synthesis of di(indolyl)methanes, have been isolated.