Efficient One-Pot Synthesis of Indol-3-yl-Glycines via Uncatalyzed Friedel-Crafts Reaction in Water

The three component reaction of primary aliphatic amines, glyoxalic acid and indole or N-methylindole in water at ambient temperature affords indol-3-yl or N-methylindol-3-yl-glycine in almost quantitative yields.