Furan ring opening—indole ring closure: pseudooxidative furan ring opening in the synthesis of indoles

A new approach to the synthesis of 4-(2-indolyl)-3-buten-2-ones is described based on condensation of 2-tosylaminobenzyl alcohols with N-tosylfurfurylamine. Pseudooxidative furan ring opening occurred via protolytic elimination of tosylamide from the side chain of the 2-tosylaminoaryl(5-tosylaminomethylfur-2-yl)methanes formed in situ.