Photolysis of 1-acyl-7-nitroindolines in aqueous solution gives a carboxylic acid and a 7- nitrosoindole. These compounds are useful as photolabile precursors of carboxylic acids, particularly neuroactive amino acids. The effect of electron-donating substituents at the 4- position has been explored for its effect on photolysis efficiency. 4-Methoxy substitution improved the photolysis efficiency> 2-fold but the 4-dimethylamino analogue was ...
