Manganese(III) acetate mediated oxidation of 1-alkyl-1H-indole and 9-methyl-9H-carbazole derivatives

Manganese(III) acetate mediated oxidation of 1-alkyl-1H-indole and 9-methyl-9H-carbazole was studied. 1-Methyl-1H-indole gives the 1-acetoxymethyl derivative with good yield. 1-Methyl- 2-phenyl-1H-indole furnished the oxidation of the methyl group and C-3 of indole to obtain the corresponding acetoxy derivatives. 1-ethyl-2-phenyl derivative only furnished the C-3 acetoxylation product. 1,2-Dimethyl-1H-indole furnished oxidation on both of the methyl groups. The major products are 1-methyl-1H-indole-2-carbaldehyde and 1-methyl-2diacetoxymethyl- 1H-indole. Manganese(III) acetate oxidation of 9-methyl-9H-carbazole furnished (9H-carbazol-9-yl) methanol in good yield.