Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.134, No.35, 14326-14329, 2012
Copper-Catalyzed Desymmetric Intramolecular Ullmann C-N Coupling: An Enantioselective Preparation of Indolines
The first highly enantioselective copper-catalyzed intramolecular Ullmann C-N coupling reaction has been developed. The asymmetric desymmetrization of 1,3-bis(2-iodoaryl)propan-2-amines catalyzed by CuI/(R)-BINOL-derived ligands led to the enantioselective formation of indolines in high yields and excellent enantiomeric excesses. This method was also applied to the formation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines in high yields and excellent enantioselectivity.