6533b82bfe1ef96bd128df2e

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Synthesis of Functionalized Indoles with an α-Stereogenic Ketone Moiety Through an Enantioselective Friedel-Crafts Alkylation with (E)-1,4-Diaryl-2-butene-1,4-diones

subject

description

Chiral complexes of BINOL-based ligands with hafnium tert-butoxide catalyze the enantioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with (E)-1,4-diaryl-2-butene-1,4-diones at room temperature, with good yields and ee up to 94%. Hafnium(IV) was found to be a more effective Lewis acid than other frequently used metal ions such as titanium(IV) or zirconium(IV). Unlike the enantioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with α,β-unsaturated compounds where the stereogenic center is generated in the β-position to a carbonyl group, the Friedel-Crafts alkylation with 2-butene-1,4-diones described here generates an α-stereogenic center with respect to one of the carbonyl groups. This can be regarded as an inversion of the normal reactivity pattern or umpolung. The enantioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with (E)-4-oxo-4-phenylbutenoates using a zirconium(IV)-BINOL catalyst is also reported. This reaction takes place regioselectively at the carbon in the β-position to the ketone carbonyl group, generating an α-ester stereogenic center.