Process for the preparation of indoles

摘要

A process for the preparation of indole and derivatives thereof wherein an aniline is reacted with a 1,2-glycol in the vapor phase, the liquid phase or a mixed vapor-liquid phase. A salt of a metal of group IIa of the periodic table, a salt of iron, a salt of cobalt and/or a salt of nickel are used as the catalyst for this reaction. The present invention makes it possible to prepare indole and derivatives thereof in a single step by using inexpensive compounds as the starting materials.