In connection with studies of the antimetabolic activity of substances related to tryptophan the indazole analog of 6-methyltryptophan has been prepared. The steps employed in the synthesis are shown in the accompanying equations. The nitro-P-xylene (I) was prepared as reported previously. 2 The sodium enolate of ethyl 2-nitro-4-methylphenylpyruvate (11) separated as a dark purple solid when I was allowed to react with diethyl oxalate and ...