Reaction of some 4,6-dimethoxyindoles with nitric acid: nitration and oxidative dimerisation

A range of 3-substituted-4,6-dimethoxyindoles bearing electron-withdrawing groups in either the 2- or 7-position, can be nitrated using nitric acid in acetonitrile, to give 7-nitro and 2-nitro-indoles, respectively. Those without electron-withdrawing groups undergo oxidative dimerisation at C7, if 2,3-disubstituted, and at C2, if N-methylated and unsubstituted at C2.