Synthesis of 3-(2-aminoethyl)-5-hydroxyindene, the indene isostere of 5-hydroxytryptamine
Abstract
Knoevenagel condensation of 6-hydroxyindan-1-one and ethyl cyanoacetate gave the exo-unsaturated nitrile ester, which was hydrolysed and decarboxylated to 5-hydroxyindene-3-acetonitrile. 3-(2-Aminoethyl)-5-hydroxy-indene, isolated as its oxalate, was obtained by lithium aluminium hydride reduction of this nitrile.