| Baeyer–Emmerling indole synthesis | |
|---|---|
| Named after | Adolf von Baeyer Adolph Emmerling |
| Reaction type | Ring forming reaction |
Baeyer–Emmerling indole synthesis is a method for synthesizingindole from a (substituted)ortho-nitrocinnamic acid andiron powder in strongly basic solution.[1][2] This reaction was discovered byAdolf von Baeyer andAdolph Emmerling in 1869.[3][4]
The reaction of iron powder witho-nitrocinnamic acid reduces thenitro group to anitroso. The nitrogen then condenses with a carbon on thealkene chain with loss of a molecule of water to form a ring.Decarboxylation gives indole.
