Enantioselective Synthesis of Substituted Indoles Through Zirconium(IV)-Catalyzed Friedel–Crafts Alkylation

Abstract

The chiral complex of (R)-3,3′-Br₂-BINOL and zirconium tert-butoxide catalyzes the Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indoles with enones bearing an alkyl or fluorinated group at the β-position to give indoles having a side chain at the C3 position with a tertiary stereogenic center in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.

Key words

asymmetric catalysis - fluorine - enones - heterocycles - indoles - Michael addition - zirconium

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