Research progress of synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes

Abstract

Bis(indolyl)methane derivatives are well known to possess various biological activities, pharmacological activities and have applications in pharmaceuticals. Recently, there is an increasing interest in the synthesis of bis(indolyl)alkanes. The paper makes a summary to the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methane derivatives in term of the kinds of the catalysts on the following: (1) Lewis acid catalyst, (2) molecular iodine catalyst, (3) protoic acid catalyst, (4) solid-borne catalyst, (5) heterpoly acid catalyst, (6) small molecular organic catalyst, (7) coordination compound catalyst, (8) ionic liguid catalyst and (9) other catalysts. © 2012 Chinese Chemical Society & SIOC, CAS.