ACID-CATALYZED ISOMERIZATION OF 3-INDOLYL SULFIDES TO 2-INDOLYL SULFIDES - 1ST SYNTHESIS OF 3-UNSUBSTITUTED 2-(ARYLTHIO)INDOLES - EVIDENCE FOR A COMPLEX INTERMOLECULAR PROCESS

The acid-catalyzed isomerization of 3-indolyl sulfides 1 to the corresponding 2-indolyl sulfides 4 provides the first synthesis of 3-unsubstituted 2-(arylthio)indoles, a hitherto unattainable class of compounds. When catalyzed by trifluoroacetic acid, the isomerization proceeds mainly via an intermolecular mechanism involving initial disproportionation to a 2,3-indolyl bis-sulfide 5 and an unsubstituted counterpart 6 followed by further interaction of these species to yield the rearranged isomer 4. A mechanism is proposed involving a role for the acid in the sulfenyl-transfer steps. This type of process also occurs, to a lesser extent, in the polyphosphoric acid catalyzed isomerization.