Organocatalyzed coupling of indoles with dehydroalanine esters: synthesis of bis(indolyl)propanoates and indolacrylates

Abstract

Functionalized and substituted bis(indolyl)alkanes were synthesized from indoles and dehydroalanine esters in the presence of catalytic amounts of Brønsted acid. When 2- or 4-bulky substituted indoles were used, unusual elimination occurred to yield interesting indolyl acrylates.