The synthesis and reactive properties of two new 3-aryl-2-methyl-4, 6-dimethoxyindoles are reported. These compounds show typical electrophilic substitution and addition reactions at C7, but not oxidative dimerisation because of the reactivity of the 2-methyl group. This methyl group can be effectively oxidised to a carbaldehyde by selenium dioxide, but formation of 7, 7′-diindolylselenides also occurs.
[Vara, Yosu; Aldaba, Eneko; Arrieta, Ana; Pizarro, Jose L.; Arriortua, Maria I.; Cossio, Fernando P. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 2008 , vol. 6, # 10 p. 1763 - 1772]