Dual Nucleophilic Catalysis with DABCO for the N-Methylation of Indoles

Abstract

DABCO is an extremely active catalyst for the methylation of indoles in conjunction with dimethyl carbonate (DMC). This green chemistry is highly effective and produces N-methylindoles in nearly quantitative yields. The reaction sequence consists of competing alkylation and acylation pathways and involves 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) dually as a nucleophilic catalyst, ultimately resulting in a single product: the N-methylated indole.