N-Substituted 1-Aminoindoles from ElectrogeneratedN-Substituted 2-(ortho-Nitrosophenyl)ethylamines

Abstract

An electrochemical methodology offering efficient access to N-alkyl- and N-aryl-substituted 1-aminoindoles has been developed. N-Substituted 2-(ortho-nitrosophenyl)ethylamines, electrogenerated in a “redox” flow cell, undergo intramolecular cyclization to hydrocinnoline-type intermediates. Under slightly basic conditions, these undergo spontaneous ring-contraction to produce the N-substituted heterocycles in good yields. The reactions have been studied in slightly acidic and slightly basic aqueous alcoholic media.