The Michael Addition of Indole to α,β-Unsaturated Ketones Catalyzed by Iodine at Room Temperature

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Indole undergoes conjugate addition with α,β-unsaturated ketones by means of alkylation of indole in the presence of a catalytic amount of molecular I 2 at room temperature to afford the corresponding adduct in excellent yields (up to 96%). The substitution on the indole nucleus occurred exclusively at the 3-position. N-alkylation products have not been observed.