Regiospecific bromination of 3-methylindoles with N-bromosuccinimide

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(95)00478-U

The regiospecific bromination of various substituted 3-methylindoles at either C(2) or the C(3) alkyl moiety was accomplished via an electrophilic of free radical bromination process to provide intermediates for indole alkaloid total synthesis. The regiospecificity of the bromination could be controlled by variation of both the substituent and the N(1) protecting group on the indole ring.