Prodn. of 1-(2-methylindol-4-yloxy)-2,3-epoxypropane (I) comprises reacting 4-hydroxy-2-methylindole (II) and epichlorohydrin (III) in a protic solvent in presence of an alkali metal salt of a weak acid or of Al2O3, at above room temp. (I) is an intermediate for mepindolol (4-(2-hydroxy-3-isopropylaminopropxy)-2-methylindole). This process is quicker and gives better yields than the known reaction of (II) and (III) at room temp. in presence of aq. NaOH.
展开▼