Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Friedel-Crafts Reaction of Indoles

Abstract

Friedel-Crafts reactions of indoles can be used with a wide range of electrophiles, but few examples using methyl or ethyl trifluoro­pyruvate have been reported. The authors herein describe a copper bisoxazolidine catalyst that overcomes the long reaction times, limited substrate scope, and low selectivity seen in other catalyst systems.