Silicon-directed oxa-Pictet-Spengler cyclization and an unusual dimerization of 2-trimethylsilanyl tryptophols.

The tetrahydro-pyrano[3,4-b]indoles 6 were synthesized from 2-(2-trimethylsilanyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-ethanols 5 and various ketones or aldehydes through silicon-directed oxa-Pictet-Spengler cyclizations. An unusual reaction led to the dimeric products 7 when some of 5 was treated with acetone using BF(3) as the catalyst.