Boronic Acid Accelerated Three-Component Reaction for the Synthesis of α-Sulfanyl-Substituted Indole-3-acetic Acids.

Boronic acid was used to accelerate a three-component reaction of indoles, thiols, and glyoxylic acids for the synthesis of α-sulfanyl-substituted indole-3-acetic acids. Boronic acid catalysis to activate the α-hydroxy group in α-hydroxycarboxylic acid intermediates and intramolecular assistance by free carboxylic acid were the keys to accelerating the product formation.