Electrochemical oxidation of 1-methylindole, 2-methylindole and 3-meth
ylindole on a platinum anode in acetonitrile containing NaClO4 has bee
n studied. In any case no polymeric deposit on the working electrode w
as obtained. The identification of the obtained soluble products is de
scribed and the mechanisms of formation are discussed, Analogously to
the case of unsubstituted indole, electrooxidized 1-3 react through po
sitions 2 and 3. The non polymerization of 1 is explained with the for
mation of a tetramer which is oxidized to a stable radical cation and
dication without undergoing further coupling reactions. Copyright (C)
1996 Elsevier Science Ltd