Utilization of methanol and ethanol for 3,3′-bis(indolyl)methane synthesis through activation of peroxymonosulfate over a copper catalyst

Abstract

A greener and simple catalytic system is developed for the synthesis of biologically important 3,3′-bisindolyl(methanes) (BIMs) using C1 and C2 alcohols as the carbon source for the bridging methylene group. The reaction occurred under very mild and environment friendly conditions without the requirement of any toxic solvents. The low cost CuO–peroxymonosulfate (CuO–PMS) system allows the reaction to be highly efficient, resulting in very good product yield.