A Highly Efficient Michael Addition of Indoles to α,β-Unsaturated Electron-Deficient Compounds in Acidic SDS Micellar Media

The Michael addition of indoles to alpha,beta-unsaturated electron deficient compounds was catalyzed efficiently at room temperature in acidic micellar solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The substitution on the indole nucleus occurred exclusively at the 3-position in good to excellent yields, and no N-alkylation products were observed.