Development of large-scale preparations of indole derivatives: Evaluation of potential thermal hazards and studies of reaction kinetics and mechanisms

Abstract

Hydrogenation of (E)-2-nitropyrrolidinostyrene in the presence of the doped rhodium catalyst is safe, scalable, and highly effective for the preparation of 6-benzyloxyindole. Reaction kinetics with/without additives also were examined using in situ IR for the first time. Results showed that the additives decelerate the hydrogenolysis of benzyl ethers, while simultaneously accelerating the de-oxygenation of N-oxy-intermediates. © 2006 American Chemical Society.