2-(Tosylamino)benzyltrimethylammonium halides as precursors of 2-substituted indoles

The reactions of 2-(tosylamino)benzyltrimethylammonium halides (1) with dimethylsulfonium 2-oxo-2-phenylethylide (6b), dimethylsulfonium 2-ethoxy-2-oxo-ethylide (6c) and dimethylsulfonium cyanomethylide (6d) are useful synthetic routes to 2-substituted indoles (8b-d). The relationship between reaction conditions and selectivity is discussed