Synlett 2003(13): 2074-2076  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-41463
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Ultrasound-accelerated Michael Addition of Indole to α,β-Unsaturated Ketones Catalyzed by Ceric Ammonium Nitrate (CAN)

Shun-Jun Ji*, Shun-Yi Wang
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Suzhou University, Suzhou, P. R. of China, 215006
Fax: +86(512)65224873; e-Mail: shunjun@suda.edu.cn;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 17 July 2003
Publication Date:
08 October 2003 (online)

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Abstract

Ceric ammonium nitrate efficiently catalyzes the Michael addition of indole to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl ketones by means of alkylation of indole under ultrasonic irradiation to afford the corresponding adduct in excellent yields. The substitution on the indole nucleus occurred exclusively at the 3-position, and N-alkylation products have not been observed.