Alternatively, 5-methoxyindole (III) was N-silylated employing tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride and n-BuLi, and the resulting silyl derivative (V) was brominated with N-bromosuccinimide at -78 C to afford the 3-bromoindole (VI). After lithium-bromine exchange in (VI) with n-BuLi at -78 C, the 3-lithio compound was condensed with N-methyl-D-proline methyl ester (VII) to give the indolyl ketone (VIII). The ketone function of (VIII) was finally reduced employing LiAlH4 in boiling THF.
Silylation of 4-benzyloxyindole (I) employing tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride and NaH gave the N-silyl derivative (II), which was brominated with N-bromosuccinimide at -78 C to afford the 3-bromoindole (III). After lithium-bromine exchange with n-BuLi at -78 C, the 3-lithio compound was condensed with N-methyl-D-proline methyl ester (IV) to give the indolyl ketone (V). The ketone function of (V) was finally reduced employing LiAlH4 in boiling dioxan, with concomitant cleavage of the benzyl ether to furnish the title compound.
The title compound has been prepared by two related procedures. Treatment of N-carbobenzoxy-D-proline (I) with oxalyl chloride provided the corresponding acid chloride (II). This was condensed with 5-methoxyindolyl magnesium bromide, generated from 5-methoxyindole (III) and ethylmagnesium bromide, to afford the indolyl ketone (IV). Reduction of both keto and carbamate groups of (IV) by means of LiAlH4 in refluxing THF then furnished the target compound.