The reaction of some indoles with selenium dioxide

Abstract

The reaction of selenium dioxide with indole in benzene gives 3,3?- diindolyl selenide. In separate experiments but with similar reaction conditions, 2-methyl-indole gave complex mixtures from which either 3,3?-di(2-methylindolyl) diselenide or the corresponding triselenide was isolated in low yield. 1,2-Dimethylindole gave 3,3?-di(1,2- dimethylindolyl) triselenide, also in low yield.