An efficient synthesis of (3-indolyl)acetonitriles by reduction of hydroxamic acids

A new,highly efficient method was developed for the synthesis of (3-indolyl)acetonitriles by reduction of readily available (3-indolyl)hydroxamic acids with phosphorus trichloride. The nitriles obtained according to this method are of significant interest for structure-activity studies of potential anticancer agents. © 2016 Springer Science+Business Media New York.