Synthesis of indole-N-propionitrile, N-propionic acid and N-propionamide derivatives of potential biological activity.

Cyanoethylation of a selected group from indole derivatives 1a-i using acrylonitrile in pyridine and potassium hydroxide afforded the corresponding indole-1-propionitrile 2a-h derivatives which readily hydrolysed in basic medium to the corresponding indole-1-propionic acid derivatives 4a-c. A several attempts to cyclize the above products-to the corresponding dihydropyrroloquinolin-4-one derivatives. The indole-1-propionamide derivatives reacted with diethyl carbonate and ethyl acetate under Claisen condensation also, with diazonium salts and nitric acid.