Facile Synthesis of Bis(indolyl)methanes Catalyzed by α-Chymotrypsin

A mild and efficient method catalyzed by α-chymotrypsin was developed for the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes through a cascade process between indole and aromatic aldehydes. In the ethanol aqueous solution, a green medium, a wide range of aromatic aldehydes could react with indole to afford the desired products with moderate to good yields (from 68% to 95%) using a little α-chymotrypsin as catalyst.Keywords:bis(indolyl)methanes;tandem protocol;biocatalysis;promiscuity;α-chymotrypsin