Organocatalytic asymmetric Povarov reactions with 2- and 3-vinylindoles

Chem Commun (Camb). 2010 Jan 14;46(2):327-9. doi: 10.1039/b921113f. Epub 2009 Nov 24.

Abstract

The asymmetric Povarov reaction of N-arylimines with 2- and 3-vinylindoles has been developed using a chiral phosphoric acid ((S)-TRIP) as catalyst. The peculiar reactivity of vinylindoles allowed also the disclosure of a Povarov Friedel-Crafts sequence, and the trapping of the reaction intermediate with nucleophilic species, thus providing a versatile platform for the preparation of highly enantioenriched indole derivatives.