Efficient route to the pineal hormone melatonin by radical-based indole synthesis

The hormone melatonin, which is known to have a range of important biological effects, has been prepared in a high-yielding route that features formation of the indole nucleus by radical cyclization. Mediation of the radical cyclization by tristrimethylsilylsilane (TTMSS) is more efficient than by N-ethylpiperidine hypophosphite.