Synthesis and characterization of new heterocyclic derivatives by oxidation of 1‐amino‐2‐methylindoline

1‐Amino‐2‐methylindoline is a precursor used in the synthesis of antihypertension drugs. It reacts with monochloramine to lead to the formation of 1‐amino‐2‐methylindole and azo(2‐methyl)indoline. These new products have been isolated and characterized by microanalysis, uv, gc/ms, ir, and ¹H/¹³C nmr. The reaction leads to the transient formation of an indolic aminonitrene. 1‐Amino‐2‐methylindole formation proceeds in strongly alkaline medium by rearrangement of a diaziridine intermediate. In neutral or slightly alkaline medium, one obtains a precipitate of tetrazene type (‐N‐N=N‐N‐), the azo(2‐methyl)indoline. The study of the thermochemical properties shows that tetrazene decomposes towards 150 °C to give the 1,1′‐bi(2‐methyl)indoline. The stability of the starting reagents and products was the subject of a systematic investigation. A reaction mechanism is proposed.