Synthesis of Pharmacologically Active Bis(indolyl) and Tris(indolyl) Derivatives Using Chlorotrimethylsilane

Chlorotrimethylsilane is found to be a comparatively fast and efficient catalyst for carrying out electrophilic substitution reactions of indoles with various aldehydes/ketones/triethylorthoformate, yielding excellent amount of bis(indolyl)methanes/tris(indolyl)methanes. The merits of this protocol are avoidance of any external energy source, minimal reaction time, simple and easy procedure and high yield under solvent free room temperature condition. The versatility of this method has been tested with various aldehydes/ketones and received satisfactory results.