PURPOSE: To readily and efficiently obtain a compound useful as intermediates for synthesis of various medical drugs by treating pyrrole derivative with an acid in the presence of alcohols.
CONSTITUTION: A pyrrole derivative expressed by formula I (Ar is phenyl) or an acetal substance of said derivative is treated with an acid (e.g. sulfuric acid) in the presence of a compound expressed by the formula R1 OH [R1 is 1-5C alkyl, aralkyl, hydroxy 1-5C alkyl or R2CH2CH(OH)CH2-(R2 is eliminating group)] to afford the aimed indole derivative expressed by formula II. The reaction is performed in a solvent such as dichloromethane with refluxing in heating. As a compound expressed by the formula R1OH, 1,3-propanediol is exemplified. Thereby, formation of indole ring and introduction of 4-alkoxy group are attained at once not by way of 4-hydroxyindole unstable in air, thus simplification of the reaction process is attained.
MURATAKE HIDEAKI
FUJI MASAHIRO
SHIONOGI & CO