Synthesis of caulersin and its isomers by reaction of indole-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydrides with methyl indoleacetates

1-Benzenesulfonylindole-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride was reacted with methyl 1-benzenesulfonylindole-2-acetate to give the corresponding 2-acylindole-3-carboxylic acid as the sole product in high yield, which could be converted to caulersin in four steps. In a similar manner, three isomers A, B, and C were synthesized by reaction of indole-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydrides with methyl indoleacetates.