Derivatives of 1-aryl-5-methoxyindoles

By fusion with potassium hydroxide, derivatives of 1-aryl-3-ethoxycarbonyl-5-methoxy-2-methylindole are converted into the corresponding indole-3-carboxylic acids. When the indole-3-carboxylic acids are heated to their melting points, they are readily converted into derivatives of 1-arylindoles with unsubstituted -positions. A similar cycle of conversions has been carried out for 3-ethoxycarbonyl-5-methoxy-2-methyl-1-phenylbenzoindole. The reactions of derivatives of 1-aryl-5-methoxy-2-methylindoles with formaldehyde and dimethylamine hydrochloride gives Mannich bases.