Transformations of 1-(2-aminophenyl)propan-2-ol to 2-Methylindoline

The transformation reaction of 1-(2-aminophenyl)propan-2-ol was studied at 200 °C under argon pressure. A range of catalysts was applied including carbon, titania and zeolite supported Ru, Pd, Pt, Rh, and Ir, as well as metal free zeolites. The highest conversion was obtained with H-Beta-150 and H-Beta-25 and the highest selectivity to 2-methylindoline was achieved with 0.3 % Ir–H-Beta-150 and H-Beta-25. Although the selectivity to 2-methylindole was high for all catalysts, formation of the final product 2-methylindoline only took place over the most acidic catalysts.