Detosylation of 3-amino-1-tosylindole-2-carbonitriles using DBU and thiophenol

Attempted detosylation of the 3-amino-1-(p-tosylamino)indole-2-carbonitriles 4a-c using either K2CO3 in EtOH or DBU in PhH at reflux gives unexpectedly the 3-(N-p-tosylamino)indole-2-carbonitriles 5a-c, respectively in high yields. Nevertheless, treatment of 1-(p-tosylamino)indoles 4a-c with thiophenol and DBU in PhH at reflux gives the detosylated 3-aminoindole-2-carbonitriles 5a-c. Reaction mechanisms supporting the tosyl migration (4 -> 5) and the reductive detosylation (4 -> 2) are proposed. All new compounds are fully characterised. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.