Nucleophilic substitution reaction on the nitrogen of indole nucleus: Formation of 1-(indol-3-yl)indoles upon reaction of 1-hydroxyindoles with indole in formic acid

金沢大学大学院自然科学研究科生理活性物質科学金沢大学薬学部1-(Indol-3-yl)indoles are obtained in excellent to good yields by the reaction of 1-hydroxyindoles with indole in 85% formic acid. Their structures are determined by X-Ray crystallographic analysis and chemical correlations. The unprecidented SN2 mechanism on the indole nitrogen is proposed