Stereoselective Synthesis of Dihydrofuranoindoles via the Friedel-Crafts Alkylation/Annulation Cascade Process

J Org Chem. 2020 Sep 18;85(18):11607-11617. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.0c00444. Epub 2020 Sep 3.

Abstract

A stereoselective annulation protocol was developed to construct dihydrofuranoindoles from readily available starting materials. In the presence of a bifunctional squaramide, the Friedel-Crafts alkylation/annulation cascade process occurred smoothly to provide dihydrofuranoindoles in 26-95% isolated yields exclusively as trans-diastereomers (38-99% ee). This catalytic protocol was compatible with a range of structurally distinct hydroxyindoles bearing the hydroxyl group at different positions, providing four kinds of dihydrofuranoindoles. Moreover, gram-scale synthesis and further synthetic manipulation of the product were also demonstrated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't