Synthesis of 7-cyano- and 7-acetamido-indoles via cyanocarbonation/hydrogenation of 7-formyl indole

A procedure for the synthesis of 7-cyano and 7-acetamido indoles via cyanocarbonation/hydrogenation of 7-formyl indole is presented. The process can be efficiently scaled up to provide multigram quantities of the desired compounds in good yield. A small survey of substrate scope indicates that the reaction may prove generally useful for the synthesis of aryl acetonitriles.