3-Phenyl-5-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl]indole-2-carbonitrile, a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin synthetase and of platelet aggregation.

A number of indoles containing the 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl side chain have been prepared by standard methods. Alternate, novel syntheses of indole-2-carboxamides and indole-2-carbonitriles have been developed. The title compound, 7e, was found to be a potent inhibitor of bovine prostaglandin synthetase in vitro and to lower serum prostaglandin levels after oral or intraperitoneal administration to rats.