Synthesis of ellipticine by reaction of 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)indole-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride with (3-bromo-4-pyridyl)-triisopropoxytitanium

Article abstract of DOI:10.1039/b105116b

The synthesis of ellipticine by the reaction of 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)indole-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride with (3-bromo-4-pyridyl)-triisopropoxytitanium was reported. The reaction involved the deprotection of the 1-(4-methoxybenzyl) group of the 2-acylindole-3-carboxylic acid by treatment with perchloric acid in acetic acid to afford 2-(3-bromoisonicotinoyl)indole, which was then converted to ellipticine. The effect of different reagents and conditions on the reaction was observed and infrared spectrometry was performed on the products.