Catalysis Letters, Vol.128, No.3-4, 418-422, 2009
Synthesis of Bis(indolyl)methanes Using Recyclable PEG-Supported Sulfonic Acid as Catalyst
An operationally simple, efficient and environmentally benign synthetic method to bis(indolyl) methanes has been developed in good yields (80-96%) by electrophilic substitution reactions of indole with aldehydes or ketones in methanol in the presence of 5 mol% of poly (ethylene-glycol) (PEG) supported sulfonic acid with respect to indole under mild conditions. Recovery and recycling of the poly (ethylene-glycol)-supported catalyst were also described.
Keywords:Bis(indolyl)methane;PEG-supported sulfonic acid;Indole;Carbonyl compound;Environmentally benign