Ring cleavage and ring expansion of indoles by superoxide ion

The reaction of indoles ($\text{1}$) with superoxide ion resulted in ring cleavage to give $\text{o}$-formyl and $\text{o}$-acylaminoketones ($\text{6}$) or N-acylanthranilic acid ($\text{8}$) and ring expansion yielding 2-quinolones ($\text{7}$). All reactions are chemiluminescent except that of 2-methylindole ($\text{lh}$), which gave a coupled product ($\text{9}$).