Indole

An indole is an organic molecular structure, consisting of the bicyclic of benzene and a pyrrole. Indoles are found in many organisms, and many indoles are biologically active.

Indole

Indole is a precursor of the widely-occurring amino acid tryptophan. Some alkaloids are indoles, including the hallucinogenic tryptamines psilocybin, mescaline, and LSD. The structure is also found in many naturally-occurring human neurotransmitters, such as serotonin.

An indole could be described as the union of a 6-membered benzene ring with a five-membered pyrrole ring. The pyrrole has one nitrogen atom present.

The name indole is derived from indigo, a blue pigment obtained from some plant species. The indigo molecule comprises two indole units joined together.