The compound reported by Majima and Kotake as ethyl 6-bromoindole-3-carboxylate, obtained from the monobromination of ethyl indole-3-carboxylate, when saponified, decarboxylated, and the product repeatedly crystallized from alcohol, actually gave a nearly equimolar mixture of 5-and 6-bromoindoles of constant melting point, 74-75°. 7-Bromoindole has been synthesized by two unambiguous routes.
