Reaction of 3/2-formylindoles with TOSMIC: formation of indolyloxazoles and stable indolyl primary enamines

3-Formylindole and its 1-substituted and 1,5-disubstituted derivatives react with TOSMIC in presence of potassium carbonate in methanol under reflux to furnish 5-(3′-indolyl)oxazoles, new stable E-2-(3′-indolyl)-2-tosylethenamines and two diastereomers of N-[2-(3′-indolyl)-1,2-dimethoxy]ethylformamides. In contrast, 2-formylskatole furnishes N-(1-tosyl-2-skatolyl)ethenylformamide.