Enantioselective Copper(II)‐Catalyzed Conjugate Addition of Indoles to β‐Substituted Unsaturated Acyl Phosphonates

Abstract

AbstractThe first copper‐catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of indoles to β‐substituted unsaturated acyl phosphonates was successfully realized by using a heteroarylidene‐tethered bis(oxazoline) ligand. The reaction features high efficiency, cheap catalyst and broad generality. In the case of either β‐alkyl‐ or β‐aryl‐substituted unsaturated acyl phosphonates, the 3‐indolyl adducts were achieved in high yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee). The 3‐indolyl adducts can serve as important intermediates in the synthesis of indole alkaloids.magnified image