An Efficient Synthesis of the Indole Acetic Acid Metabolite of MK-0462

Abstract
A palladium-catalyzed coupling of iodoaniline 2 with bis-TES propargyl alcohol 3 gives indole-3-methanol 4b in 72% yield. Displacement of the hydroxy group of 4b by sodium cyanide followed by hydrolysis of the cyano group and desilylation provides the indole acetic acid metabolite, L-749,335 (1), of the 5-HT1D receptor agonist MK-0462.