A synthesis of 3-hydroxymethyl-and 3-formylindoles has been performed by manipulation of the side chain of 3-hydroxymethylindoline derived from o-nitrotoluene. Electro-reductive cyclization of 2-(2-nitro-phenyl)-1, 3-bis (methylsulfonyloxy) propane to 3-(benzyloxymethyl) indole, is also discussed.
