Abstract
THE recently suggested theory of Pausacker and Schubert1 involving free radicals in the Fischer indole synthesis appeared to us improbable. It seemed more likely that these experimental results could be explained quite readily by hydrolyses of the hydrazones and recombination to produce two new hydrazones. It may be remarked here that a fifth product, 1 : 8-dimethyl carbazole, should also have been isolated in small yield in the case quoted. The possibility that this is the correct interpretation is admitted by Pausacker in a second communication2. Evidence has now been obtained which shows clearly that it is the correct one, and that the free radical theory is untenable. The experimental results may be summarized as follows :
References
Nature, 163, 289 (1949).
Nature, 163, 602 (1949).
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GORE, P., HUGHES, G. & RITCHIE, E. The Fischer Indole Synthesis. Nature 164, 835 (1949). https://doi.org/10.1038/164835a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/164835a0
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