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M. L. Deb and P. J. Bhuyan
indoles, in the absence of any added catalyst. As far as possible, the
reactions were carried out in an environmentally friendly by using water
as a major part of the solvent system, thereby reducing the use of organic
solvents. The products were obtained in excellent yields in a short reac-
tion time. A suitable mechanism is put forward for the reaction where
the solvent itself promotes the reaction. Undoubtedly it will be a valuable
addition to the chemistry of indoles.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We thank the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, for
financial support. M. L. D. thanks the Council of Scientific and Indus-
trial Research (India) for the award of a senior research fellowship.
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