Chemoselective reductions of 2‐acyl‐1H‐indole‐3‐carboxaldehydes

Abstract A novel procedure for the chemoselective reduction of 2‐acyl‐1 H ‐indole‐3‐carboxaldehydes has been developed. Low temperature lithium triethylborohydride reduction affords the indol‐2‐yl carbinol whilst sodium cyanoborohydride reduction in acetic acid affords the 3‐hydroxymethyl analogs. Both processes are high yield, and provide access to intermediates of potential utility for indole alkaloid synthesis.