Table 2.

Synthesis of 2-benzyltryptophans 3a–j.^a

Entry	Indole	Tryptophan	Time (h)	Yield (%)b
1	1a	3a	24	70
2	1b	3b	16	74
3	1c	3c	48	53
4	1d	3d	72	NR
5	1e	3e	72	NR
6	1f	3f	72	11
7	1g	3g	72	NR
8	1h	3h	24	67
9	1i	3i	48	51
10c	1a	3j	24	48

^aReaction Conditions: 1a–i (0.25 mmol), 2a (0.3 mmol), EtAlCl₂ (0.5 mmol), CH₂Cl₂ (2.5 mL), rt. ^bYields of the isolated products after column chromatography. ^cMethyl 2-phthalimidoacrylate (2b) was used. NR, no reaction.