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Indole is an aromatic heterocyclic organic compound. It has a bicyclic structure, consisting of a six-membered benzene ring annulated to a five-membered nitrogen containing pyrrole ring. Indole is solid at room temperature and has an intensive fecal smell. At very low concentrations however it has a flowery smell and is a constituent of many flower scents and perfumes. The indole structure can be found in many organic compounds like the amino acidIn chemistry, an amino acid is any molecule that contains both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. In biochemistry, this shorter and more general term is frequently used to refer to alpha amino acids: those amino acids in which the amino and carb tryptophanTryptophan is an amino acid and essential in human nutrition. It is one of the 20 amino acids in the genetic code ( codon UGG , and its symbol is Trp or W''. Molecular formula: C H N O Molecular weight: 204. 23 Isoelectric point: pH 5. 89 CAS number: 73-2 and in tryptophan containing proteinmyoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. This protein was the first to have its structure solved by X-ray crystallography by Max Perutz and Sir John Cowdery Kendrew in 1958, which led to them receiving a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. A protein is a complex,, in alkaloids, or in pigments.

Substituted indoles are structural elements of (and for some compounds the synthetic precursors for) the tryptophan-derived tryptamineTryptamine Chemical name3-(2-Aminoethyl)indole Chemical formulaCHN Molecular mass160. 22 g/mol SMILES NCCC1 CNC2 C1C CC C2 Tryptamine (3-(2- amino ethyl) indole) is a monoamine compound that is widespread in nature. Biosynthesis generally proceeds from th alkaloids like the neurotransmitterA neurotransmitter is a type of molecule that carries signals between neurons (nerve cells) at synapses in the nervous system. Neurotransmitters may be either excitatory ( EPSPs) or inhibitory ( IPSPs). That is, they may foster the initiation of a nerve i serotoninSerotonin Chemical name5-Hydroxy-tryptamine or3-(2-aminoethyl)-1''H indol-5-ol Chemical formulaCHNO Molecular mass176. 22 g/mol CAS number50-67-9 SMILESNCCC1 CNC2 C1C C(O)C C2 Serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT is a monoamine neurotransmitter synthesis, the hallucinogens psilocybin, DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, or the ergolines like LSD.

Other indolic compounds include the plant hormon heteroauxin (indolyl-3-acetic acid, IAA), the anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin, or the betablocker pindolol .

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

Although the indole nitrogen atom has a lone pair of electrons, indole is not basic like the amines because the lone pair is delocalised and contributes to the aromatic system.