title: Dual nucleophilic catalysis with DABCO for the N-methylation of indoles.
abstract: DABCO is an extremely active catalyst for the methylation of indoles in conjunction with dimethyl carbonate (DMC). This green chemistry is highly effective and produces N-methylindoles in nearly quantitative yields. The reaction sequence consists of competing alkylation and acylation pathways and involves 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) dually as a nucleophilic catalyst, ultimately resulting in a single product: the N-methylated indole.
authors.affiliation: Chemical and Analytical Development, Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, East Hanover, New Jersey 07936, USA. wen.shieh@pharma.novartis.com
authors.forename: Wen-Chung
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Shieh
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dell
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bach
authors.forename: Oljan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Repic
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Blacklock