One-pot asymmetric synthesis of quaternary pyrroloindolones through a multicatalytic N-allylation/hydroacylation sequence

Abstract

An intramolecular, quaternary carbon center forming hydroacylation of α-substituted acrylates has been discovered. This interesting transformation can be readily incorporated into a multicatalytic tandem process enabled by a combination of nucleophilic tertiary amine and N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis. With no additional stoichiometric base required, this transformation affords the quaternary pyrroloindolones with high levels of enantioselectivity.

Keywords: asymmetric catalysis; carbenes; hydroacylation; indoles; multicatalysis.