Synthesis of spiropentacyclic indolines by cyclisation of 3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetyltryptamine
Abstract
Cyclisation of N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetyl)tryptamine (4) with either phosphorus trichloride, or phosphoryl chloride, affords the spirocyclic indolin (12) together with small amounts of β-carboline derivatives, whereas with trifluoroacetic anhydride as reagent the spirocyclic indoline(13) is formed in quantitative yield.