General synthesis of mono-, di-, and tri-acetylated indoles from indolin-2-ones

Having developed the one-pot triacetylation of indolin-3-ones, we have now devised a simple two-step reaction sequences to produce di- and mono-acetylated indoles from indolin-2-ones. The indolin-2-ones were first subjected to acetylation in the presence of acetic anhydride and a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethylaminopyridine to give 2-acetoxy-1,3-diacetylindoles. Subsequently, an enzyme-assisted deacetylation resulted in the chemoselective deprotection of the acetoxy group to produce 1,3-diacetyl-2-hydroxyindoles. However, a chemical deacetylation of 2-acetoxy-1,3-diacetylinoles under mild basic or acidic conditions resulted in the formation of 3-acetyl-2-hydroxyindoles.