Studies on the acid-catalyzed dimerization of 2-prenylindoles

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4020(96)00482-6

Acid-catalyzed dimerization of 2-prenylindole derivatives 11, 16, and 27 have been examined. While 2-dehydroprenylindole 11 underwent polymerization, alcohols 16 and 27 gave indolo[3,2-b]carbazole derivatives 18 and 29 respectively. The structure of 29 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Mechanisms for the formation of 18 and 29 from 16 and 27 have been proposed.