PRODUCTION OF N-BENZYLINDOLE

摘要

A process for producing a compound of the formula in which R<1> is hydrogen, halo, C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, nitrile, optionally protected carboxy, optionally protected tetrazolyl, trihalomethyl, hydroxy-C1-4 alkyl, aldehyde, -CH2Z, -CH=CH-Z or -CH2CH2Z where Z is optionally protected carboxy or optionally protected tetrazolyl; R<2> is halo, nitrile, an optionally protected acid group or -CONR<7>R<8> where R<7> and R<8> are hydrogen or C1-4 alkyl; R<4> is C2-4 alkyl, or C2-4 alkyl substituted by -CONR<7>R<8> or an optionally protected acid group; R<5> is where W is -CH=CH-, -CH=N-, -N=CH-, -O- or -S-, R<9> is hydrogen, halo, C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy or trihalomethyl, and R<10> is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl, C2-6 alkenyl, C3-6 cycloalkyl or C1-4 alkyl-C3-6 cycloalkyl; R<6> is hydrogen or C1-4 alkyl; X is -O-(CH2)nCR<11>R<12>-, -CR<11>R<12>-, -CR<11>R<12>. (CH2)n.CR<13>R<14>- or -CR<11>=CR<12>- where R<11>, R<12>, R<13> and R<14> are each hydrogen or C1-4 alkyl, and n is 0, 1 or 2; and Y is -O-CR<15>R<16>-, -CR<15>=CR<16>- or -CR<15>R<16>. CR<17>R<18>- where R<15>, R<16>, R<17> and R<18> are each hydrogen or C1-4 alkyl; or a salt thereof, comprising the step of reacting a compound of the formula with a compound of the formula to form a compound of the formula wherein R<2a> is selected from the groups recited above for R<2>, or R<2a>-X- is a protected hydroxyl group, and Z is a group of formula -Y-R5 recited above, or a group that can be converted into a group of said formula -Y-R<5>. Intermediates of formula IV and composition containing substantially optically pure enantiomers of Formula (I) are included within the scope of the invention.