A Novel and Efficient Method for the Synthesis of 1H-Indol-3-yl Acetates

A catalyst-free method for the synthesis of 1H-indol-3-yl acetates from 1H-indoles is described. The reaction takes place in the presence of (diacetoxyiodo) benzene (DIB) and potassium hydroxide as the base under mild conditions (MeCN, 35 degrees C, 1.5 h). This represents a simple and efficient new method for 1H-indol-3-yl acetate synthesis.