The First Method for Protection−Deprotection of the Indole 2,3-π Bond

Abstract

[reaction: see text] The scope and generality of a new reaction of indoles with MTAD is discussed. In most cases the ene-type reaction proceeds within seconds or minutes at 0 degrees C to provide the urazole adducts in high yield. This reaction provides the first method for protecting the indole 2,3-double bond since the urazole adducts can be reconverted to the starting indole (retro-ene) simply by heating.