Generation and intermolecular reactions of 2-indolylacyl radicals

The generation of 2-indolylacyl radicals from the corresponding phenyl selenoesters, aldehydes, and alpha-keto carboxylic acids and the scope of their participation in intermolecular addition reactions to carbon-carbon double bonds have been studied. Whereas the phenyl selenoester method has provided easy access to a variety of 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds bearing the 2-acylindole moiety, the glyoxylic acid route has been employed for the preparation of 2-indolyl pyridyl ketones.