Synthesis of carboxyarylindoles and benzofurans as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents

2-Carboxyaryl-substituted dihydrobenz[e]indoles, tetrahydroindoles, and tetrahydrobenzofurans have been synthesized as structural analogues of fendosal, a new antiinflammatory agent, and tested in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay. Two of these, 2-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-phenyl-4,5-dihydrobenz[e]indole and 1-(n-butyl)-2-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole, were found to have significant activity, albeit of a lower order than fendosal.