PROCESS FOR PRODUCING 1-PYRIDIN-4-YL-INDOLES

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20080064878
  • Publication Number
    20080064878
  • Date Filed
    September 07, 2007
    17 years ago
  • Date Published
    March 13, 2008
    16 years ago
Abstract
A process for producing a 1-pyridin-4-yl-indole represented by formula (III) as defined in the specification, which comprises reacting a pyridine compound represented by formula (I) as defined in the specification with an indole compound represented by formula (II) as defined in the specification in the presence of a base at 50 to 200° C.
Description
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be described in detail below.


In order to describe the invention in more detail, an example of using sodium tert-butoxide is described below as one example of the process of the invention which, however, do not limit the contents of the invention in any way.







In the above formulae, R1 to R5, X and n are the same as defined hereinbefore.


In the compounds of the invention represented by formula (I), X represents a chlorine atom, a bromine atom or an iodine atom.


In the compounds of the invention represented by formulae (I) to (III), R1 to R5 are not particularly limited as long as they are groups which do not exert detrimental influences on the reaction.


Specifically, R1 and R4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group, an arylcarbonyloxy group, a carboxy group, an alkylcarbonyl group, an arylcarbonyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, a sulfo group, an alkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group, a carbamoyl group di-substituted by alkyl and/or aryl, a sulfamoyl group di-substituted by alkyl and/or aryl, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, an alkylthiocarbonyl group, an arylthiocarbonyl group, a nitro group, an amino group di-substituted by alkyl and/or aryl, a cyano group or a hetero ring residue.


R2 and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group, an arylcarbonyloxy group, a carboxy group, an alkylcarbonyl group, an arylcarbonyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, a sulfo group, an alkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group, a carbamoyl group di-substituted by alkyl and/or aryl, a sulfamoyl group di-substituted by alkyl and/or aryl, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, an alkylthiocarbonyl group, an arylthiocarbonyl group, a nitro group, an amino group di-substituted by alkyl and/or aryl, a cyano group, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom or a hetero ring residue, with R1 and R2, or R3 and R4, being optionally connected to each other to form a ring.


R5 represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group, an arylcarbonyloxy group, a carboxy group, an alkylcarbonyl group, an arylcarbonyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, a sulfo group, an alkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group, a carbamoyl group di-substituted by alkyl and/or aryl, a sulfamoyl group di-substituted by alkyl and/or aryl, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, an alkylthiocarbonyl group, an arylthiocarbonyl group, a nitro group, an amino group di-substituted by alkyl and/or aryl, a cyano group, a halogen atom or a hetero ring residue.


n represents an integer of from 0 to 6.


The alkyl group represented by R1 to R5 represents a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, icosyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclononyl or cyclodecyl.


The alkenyl group represented by R1 to R5 represents a straight, branched or cyclic alkenyl group containing from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, such as vinyl, allyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, heptenyl, octenyl, nonenyl, decenyl, undecenyl, dodecenyl, tridecenyl, tetradecenyl, pentadecenyl, hexadecenyl, heptadecenyl, octadecenyl, nonadecenyl, icosenyl, hexadienyl or dodecatrienyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclooctenyl or 1,3-cyclohexadienyl.


The alkynyl group represented by R1 to R5 represents a straight, branched or cyclic alkynyl group containing from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, such as ethynyl, butynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl, heptynyl, octynyl, nonynyl, cyclooctynyl, cyclononynyl or cyclodecynyl.


The aryl group represented by R1 to R5 represents a 5- to 10-membered, monocyclic or bicyclic carbon-containing aryl group such as phenyl or naphthyl.


The alkoxy group represented by R1 to R5 represents an alkoxy group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, pentyloxy, hexyloxy, heptyloxy, octyloxy, nonyloxy, decyloxy, dodecyloxy or octadecyloxy.


The aryloxy group represented by R1 to R5 represents, for example, phenoxy or naphthyloxy.


The alkylcarbonyloxy group represented by R1 to R5 represents a carbonyloxy group substituted by an alkyl group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as acetoxy, ethylcarbonyloxy, tert-butylcarbonyloxy, n-decylcarbonyloxy, n-hexadecylcarbonyloxy.


The arylcarbonyloxy group represented by R1 to R5 represents a carbonyloxy group substituted by a 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bi-cyclic aryl group, such as benzoyloxy or naphthylcarbonyloxy.


The carboxy group represented by R1 to R5 includes salts of a free carboxy group such as sodium salt, potassium salt and calcium salt as well as the free carboxy group.


The alkylcarbonyl group represented by R1 to R5 represents a carbonyl group substituted by an alkyl group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as acetyl, propionyl, pyvaloyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, valeryl, octanoyl, decanoyl, lauroyl, palmitoyl, stearoyl, cyclobutylcarbonyl, cyclopentylcarbonyl or cyclohexylcarbonyl.


The arylcarbonyl group represented by R1 to R5 represents a carbonyl group substituted by a 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bi-cyclic aryl group, such as benzoyl or naphthoyl.


The alkoxycarbonyl group represented by R1 to R5 represents a carbonyl group substituted by an alkoxy group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms such as methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, n-hexyloxycarbonyl, n-octyloxycarbonyl, n-decyloxycarbonyl, n-hexadecyloxycarbonyl, cyclopentyloxycarbonyl or cyclohexyloxycarbonyl.


The aryloxycarbonyl group represented by R1 to R5 represents a carbonyl group substituted by an aryloxy group such as phenoxycarbonyl or naphthyloxycarbonyl.


The sulfo group represented by R1 to R5 includes salts of a free sulfo group such as sodium salt, potassium salt and calcium salt as well as the free sulfo group.


The alkylsulfonyl group represented by R1 to R5 represents a sulfonyl group substituted by an alkyl group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl, propylsulfonyl, butylsulfonyl, tert-butylsulfonyl, pentylsulfonyl, hexylsulfonyl, octylsulfonyl, dodecylsulfonyl, hexadecylsulfonyl, cyclobutylsulfonyl, cyclopentylsulfonyl or cyclohexylsulfonyl.


The arylsulfonyl group represented by R1 to R5 represents, for example, phenylsulfonyl or naphthylsulfonyl.


The di-substituted carbamoyl group represented by R1 to R5 represents a carbamoyl group di-substituted by an alkyl group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and/or by a 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bi-cyclic aryl group, such as N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl, N,N-dihexylcarbamoyl, N,N-didodecylcarbamoyl, N-methyl-N-(neo-pentyl)carbamoyl, N,N-diphenylcarbamoyl, N-phenyl-N-methylcarbamoyl or N-naphthyl-N-(tert-butyl)carbamoyl.


The di-substituted sulfamoyl group represented by R1 to R5 represents a sulfamoyl group di-substituted by an alkyl group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and/or by a 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bi-cyclic aryl group, such as N,N-dimethylsulfamoyl, N,N-diisopropylsulfamoyl, N,N-dioctylsulfamoyl, N,N-ditetradecylsulfamoyl, N-ethyl-N-(tert-butyl)sulfamoyl, N,N-diphenylsulfamoyl or N-ethyl-N-phenylsulfamoyl.


The alkylthio group represented by R1 to R5 represents an alkylthio group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as methylthio, ethylthio, isopropylthio, butylthio, neopentylthio, hexylthio, heptylthio, octylthio, nonylthio, decylthio, dodecylthio, hexadecylthio, cyclopentylthio or cyclohexylthio.


The arylthio group represented by R1 to R5 represents, for example, phenylthio or naphthylthio.


The alkylthiocarbonyl group represented by R1 to R5 represents a thiocarbonyl group substituted by an alkyl group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as thioacetyl, thiopropionyl, thiobutyryl, thiovaleryl, thiodecanoyl, thiotetradecanoyl, cyclobutylthiocarbonyl or cyclohexylthiocarbonyl.


The arylthiocarbonyl group represented by R1 to R5 represents a thiocarbonyl group substituted by a 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bi-cyclic aryl group, such as thiobenzoyl or thionaphthoyl.


The di-substituted amino group represented by R1 to R5 represents an amino group di-substituted by an alkyl group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and/or by a 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bi-cyclic aryl group, such as N,N-diethylamio, N,N-diheptylamino, N,N-dioctylamino, N,N-dodecylamino, N,N-octadecylamino, N-methyl-N-hexylamino, N,N-diphenylamino, N-phenyl-N-naphthylamino or N-ethyl-N-phenylamino.


The halogen atom represented by R5 represents a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom or a fluorine atom.


The hetero ring residue represented by R1 to R5 represents, for example, a 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic hetero ring group containing from 1 to 4 atoms selected from among nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and specifically represents thienyl, furyl, pyranyl, pyridyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazinyl, azepinyl, azocinyl, azoninyl, azecinyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, triazinyl, tetrazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, quinoxalinyl, phthalazinyl, quinolizinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, naphthyridinyl, chromenyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl or like.


These substituents of R1 to R5 may further have a substituent. Such substituent which these substituents may further have is not particularly limited and is exemplified by an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a di-substituted amino group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a halogen atom and a hetero ring residue which, however, are not necessarily limitative.


R1 and R2, or R3 and R4, may be connected to each other to form a ring structure. As such ring, partly saturated rings such as cyclopentene, cyclohexene and cyclooctene; aromatic rings such as benzene and naphthalene; and hetero rings such as pyrrole, dihydropyrrole, pyridine, pyran and dihydropyran are illustrated. These rings may further have a substituent which is not particularly limitative.


X is preferably a bromine atom or a chlorine atom, more preferably a chlorine atom.


R1 to R4 are preferably a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a nitro group, a cyano group, an alkylcarbonyl group or an arylcarbonyl group, more preferably a hydrogen atom.


R5 is preferably a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an alkylthio group or an arylthio group, more preferably a hydrogen atom.


Specific examples of the compounds represented by formula (III) are shown below. However, the invention is not limited only to these compounds.










Next, the production process of the invention will be described below.


As the 4-halogenopyridines and the indoles to be used in the invention, various kinds of products are marketed and easily available. The amount of the indoles to be used is from 0.5 to 3 equivalents, preferably from 0.8 to 2 equivalents, more preferably from 0.9 to 1.6 equivalents, based on the 4-halogenopyridines. Additionally, the 4-halogenopyridines of the invention include in their category inorganic salts such as hydrochlorides, sulfates and phosphates and organic acid salts such as acetates, benzoates and methanesulfonates.


The base to be used in the invention can dissociate the NH group of indole to generate an N-anion. The NH-group of indole is usually difficult to dissociate (pKa: 17), and hence a base of 15 or more in pKa in water is preferably used in the invention. Any base that has a pKa of 15 or more in water can be used but, more preferably, inorganic bases such as sodium hydride (pKa: about 35), sodium hydroxide (pKa: 15.7) and potassium hydroxide (pKa: 15.7), alkoxide bases such as sodium methoxide (pKa: 15.5), sodium tert-butoxide (pKa: 17.0) and potassium tert-butoxide (pKa: 17.0) and organometallic bases such as tert-butyllithium (pKa: 53) and n-butyllithium (pKa: 48) are illustrated. Inorganic bases such as sodium hydride are inexpensive, easily available and easily handled. However, in the case where the substrate to be used is particularly a hydrochloride, hydrobromide or sulfate, vigorous foaming occurs due to generation of a hydrogen gas upon charging the substrate, and hence the alkoxide bases which do not provide a danger of explosion are preferred among them in industrializing the process. Of the alkoxide bases, sodium tert-butoxide and potassium tert-butoxide are most preferred. These bases may be used independently or in combination of two or more thereof according to the circumstances.


Additionally, the pKa values described above are values described in MARCH'S Advanced Organic Chemistry, 5th ed., published by WILEY-INTERSCIENCE.


The amount of the base to be used varies depending upon kind of the base to be used and kind of the substituent to be dissociated, but is usually from 0.5 to 5 equivalents, preferably from 0.8 to 4 equivalents, more preferably from 1 to 3 equivalents, based on the 4-halogenopyridines.


The reaction of the invention may be conducted in the absence of a solvent, but a solvent may be used according to the circumstances. As the solvent, those solvents are preferred which have a dielectric constant of from 2 to 50 and, specifically, aromatic solvents such as toluene (dielectric constant: 2.24) and anisole (dielectric constant: 4.33) ; ether series solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (dielectric constant: 7.58), 1,4-dioxane (dielectric constant: 2.209), ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (dielectric constant: 5.50), ethylene glycol diethyl ether (dielectric constant: 5.10) and diisopropyl ether (dielectric constant: 4.49); amide series solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide (dielectric constant: 36.71), N,N-dimethylacetamide (dielectric constant: 37.78; hereinafter abbreviated as “DMAc”) and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (dielectric constant: 32.0; hereinafter abbreviated as “NMP”); and nitrile series solvents such as acetonitrile (dielectric constant: 37.5) and propionitrile (dielectric constant: 29.7) are illustrated. These solvents may be used independently or as a mixture of two or more thereof to use. In the case of using as a mixture, the mixing ratio can be determined with no limitation. The amount of the solvent to be used is not particularly limited, but is preferably from 0.1 to 100 times, more preferably from 1 to 50 times, particularly preferably from 2 to 10 times, as much as that of the 4-halogenopyridines.


Additionally, the dielectric constants are values described in Yozai Handbook published by Kodansha in year 1998.


In the invention, additives may be used according to circumstances. As the additives, iodides are illustrated. Specifically, inorganic salts such as potassium iodide and sodium iodide; and quaternary ammonium salts such as tetramethylammonium iodide and tetrabutylammonium iodide are illustrated. It is not clear how these iodides contribute to the reaction, but addition of the additives serves to improve reaction rate, thus being preferred. These iodides can be used independently or as a mixture of two or more thereof and, in the case of using as a mixture, the mixing ratio can be determined with no limitation. The amount of the iodide to be used is not particularly limited, but is preferably from 0.001 to 3 equivalents, more preferably from 0.05 to 1 equivalent, particularly preferably from 0.1 to 0.4 equivalent based on the 4-halogenopyridines.


The reaction temperature of the invention is preferably from 50° C to 200° C., more preferably from 80° C. to 180° C., particularly preferably from 100° C. to 150° C. In case when the temperature is lower than 50° C., the reaction proceeds extremely slowly whereas, in case when the temperature is higher than 200° C., by-products are produced, thus such temperatures not being preferred.


The reaction time varies depending upon kinds of the substrate and the base to be used, but the reaction is completed usually within 24 hours and, in many cases, in a period of from 1 to 10 hours.


After completion of the reaction, the thus-obtained 1-pyridin-4-yl-indoles can be isolated and purified according to common methods for organic compounds. For example, a crude product can be obtained by adding water to the reaction solution, subjecting it to liquid separation and extraction treatment using a solvent such as ethyl acetate, and concentrating the extract. In the case where purification is required, the crude product is purified by re-crystallization using ethyl acetate, toluene, alcohol or hexane, column purification using silica gel or by distillation under reduced pressure. These purification methods can be employed independently or in combination of two or more thereof to obtain an end product with high purity.


EXAMPLES

Next, the invention will be described in more detail by reference to Examples which, however, are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.


Example 1
Synthesis of 1-pyridin-4-yl-indole

7.81 g (0.067 mol) of indole, 10.00 g (0.067 mol) of 4-chloropyridine hydrochloride and 17.94 g (0.187 mol) of sodium tert-butoxide were added to 80 ml of DMAc, and the mixture was heated to 110° C. to react for 2 hours. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was cooled to 25° C., 200 ml of water and 200 ml of ethyl acetate were added thereto and, after liquid-liquid separation, the organic layer was washed with 200 ml of water. The organic layer was concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain 11.66 g (yield: 90%) of the end product as a brown oil.


Examples 2 to 5, 8 to 12, and 15 to 19

The same procedures as in Example 1 were conducted except for changing the base and the reaction temperature used in Example 1 to those shown in Table 1.


Example 6
Synthesis of 1-pyridin-4-yl-indole

7.81 g (0.067 mol) of indole, 10.00 g (0.067 mol) of 4-chloropyridine hydrochloride, and 17.94 g (0.187 mol) of sodium tert-butoxide were added to 80 ml of NMP, and the mixture was heated to 180° C. to react for 2 hours. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was cooled to 25° C., 200 ml of water and 200 ml of ethyl acetate were added thereto and, after liquid-liquid separation, the organic layer was washed with 200 ml of water. The organic layer was concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain 11.14 g (yield: 86%) of the end product as a brown oil.


Examples 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21

The same procedures as in Example 6 were conducted except for changing the base and the reaction temperature used in Example 6 to those shown in Table 1.


Example 22
Synthesis of 1-pyridin-4-yl-indole

7.81 g (0.067 mol) of indole and 10.00 g (0.067 mol) of 4-chloropyridine hydrochloride were added to 100 ml of 1,4-dioxane, 39.2 ml (1.7 mol/l pentane solution; 0.067 mol) of tert-butyllithium was gradually added dropwise thereto, and the mixture was heated to 110° C. to react for 20 hours. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was cooled to 25° C., 200 ml of water and 200 ml of ethyl acetate were added thereto and, after liquid-liquid separation, the organic layer was washed with 200 ml of water. The organic layer was concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain 9.33 g (yield: 72%) of the end product as a brown oil.


Comparative Examples 1 to 6

The same procedures as in Example 1 were conducted except for changing the reaction temperature and the base employed in Example 1 to those shown in Table 1.


Results of Examples 1 to 22 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6 are shown in Table 1.














TABLE 1









Reaction





Reaction
Temperature
Yield



Base
Solvent
(° C.)
(%)




















Example 1
tert-BuONa
DMAc
110
90


Example 2
tert-BuONa
DMAc
50
12


Example 3
tert-BuONa
DMAc
60
21


Example 4
tert-BuONa
DMAc
80
59


Example 5
tert-BuONa
DMAc
150
93


Example 6
tert-BuONa
NMP
180
86


Example 7
tert-BuONa
NMP
200
74


Example 8
tert-BuOK
DMAc
50
11


Example 9
tert-BuOK
DMAc
60
20


Example 10
tert-BuOK
DMAc
80
40


Example 11
tert-BuOK
DMAc
110
80


Example 12
tert-BuOK
DMAc
150
92


Example 13
tert-BuOK
NMP
180
82


Example 14
tert-BuOK
NMP
200
75


Example 15
NaH
DMAc
50
14


Example 16
NaH
DMAc
60
22


Example 17
NaH
DMAc
80
75


Example 18
NaH
DMAc
110
92


Example 19
NaH
DMAc
150
93


Example 20
NaH
NMP
180
88


Example 21
NaH
NMP
200
71


Example 22
tert-BuLi
1,4-
110
72




dioxane


Comparative
tert-BuONa
DMAc
25
1


Example 1


Comparative
tert-BuONa
DMAc
40
4


Example 2


Comparative
tert-BuOK
DMAc
25
1


Example 3


Comparative
tert-BuOK
DMAc
40
3


Example 4


Comparative
NaH
DMAc
25
1


Example 5


Comparative
NaH
DMAc
40
4


Example 6









As is apparent from the results shown in Table 1, the end product can be obtained in good yield according to the invention even when 4-chloropyridine, which has not conventionally caused the reaction, was used as a substrate. On the other hand, when the reaction temperature was low (25° C. and 40° C.), the reaction scarcely proceeds.


Example 23
Synthesis of 1-pyridin-4-yl-indole

7.81 g (0.067 mol) of indole, 10.00 g (0.067 mol) of 4-chloropyridine hydrochloride, 2.21 g (0.013 mol) of potassium iodide and 17.94 g (0.187 mol) of sodium tert-butoxide were added to 80 ml of DMAc, and the mixture was heated to 110° C. to react for 2 hours. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was cooled to 25° C., 200 ml of water and 200 ml of ethyl acetate were added thereto and, after liquid-liquid separation, the organic layer was washed with 200 ml of water. The organic layer was concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain 12.18 g (yield: 94%) of the end product as a brown oil.


Examples 24 and 25

The same procedures as in Example 23 were conducted except for changing the base employed in Example 23 to those shown in Table 2.


Results of Examples 23 to 25 are shown in Table 2.













TABLE 2







Addition of





KI
Base
Yield (%)





















Example 23
yes
tert-BuONa
94



Example 24
yes
tert-BuOK
86



Example 25
yes
NaH
94



Example 1
no
tert-BuONa
90



Example 11
no
tert-BuOK
80



Example 18
no
NaH
92










Example 26
Synthesis of 1-pyridin-4-yl-indole

7.81 g (0.067 mol) of indole, 12.96 g (0.067 mol) of 4-bromopyridine hydrochloride, and 17.94 g (0.187 mol) of sodium tert-butoxide were added to 80 ml of DMAc, and the mixture was heated to 110° C. to react for 4 hours. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was cooled to 25° C., 200 ml of water and 200 ml of ethyl acetate were added thereto and, after liquid-liquid separation, the organic layer was washed with 200 ml of water. The organic layer was concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain 11.40 g (yield: 88%) of the end product as a brown oil.


Example 27
Synthesis of 1-pyridin-4-yl-indole

7.81 g (0.067 mol) of indole, 16.10 g (0.067 mol) of 4-iodopyridine hydrochloride, and 17.94 g (0.187 mol) of sodium tert-butoxide were added to 80 ml of DMAc, and the mixture was heated to 110° C. to react for 10 hours. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was cooled to 25° C., 200 ml of water and 200 ml of ethyl acetate were added thereto and, after liquid-liquid separation, the organic layer was washed with 200 ml of water. The organic layer was concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain 9.72 g (yield: 75%) of the end product as a brown oil.


Examples 28 to 32

The same procedures as in Example 1 were conducted except for changing the substrate employed in Example 1 to those shown in Table 3.


Results are shown in Table 3.













TABLE 3






Pyridine
Indole
End
Yield


Example
Compound
Compound
Product
(%)







28















92





29















94





30















90





31















92





32















89









The invention enables production of 1-pyridin-4-yl-indoles useful in the fields of medicines, agricultural chemicals, organic electroluminescence elements, catalyst ligands and solar cell elements in high yield on an industrial scale inexpensively.


The entire disclosure of each and every foreign patent application from which the benefit of foreign priority has been claimed in the present application is incorporated herein by reference, as if fully set forth.

Claims
  • 1. A process for producing a 1-pyridin-4-yl-indole represented by formula (III), which comprises reacting a pyridine compound represented by formula (I) with an indole compound represented by formula (II) in the presence of a base at 50 to 200° C.:
  • 2. The process for producing a 1-pyridin-4-yl-indole according to claim 1, wherein pKa of the base used is 15 or more.
  • 3. The process for producing a 1-pyridin-4-yl-indole according to claim 1, wherein the base used is sodium hydride, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium methoxide, sodium tert-butoxide, potassium tert-butoxide, tert-butyllithium or n-butyllithium.
  • 4. The process for producing a 1-pyridin-4-yl-indole according to claim 1, wherein the base used is sodium tert-butoxide or potassium tert-butoxide.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
2006-242875 Sep 2006 JP national