Enantioselective Synthesis of Tryptophan Derivatives by a Tandem Friedel – Crafts Conjugate Addition/Asymmetric Protonation Reaction

摘要

The tandem Friedel–Crafts conjugate addition/asymmetric protonation reaction between 2-substituted indoles and methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate is reported. The reaction is catalyzed by (R)-3,3′-dibromo-BINOL in the presence of stoichiometric SnCl4, and is the first example of a tandem conjugate addition/asymmetric protonation reaction using a BINOL•SnCl4 complex as the catalyst. A range of indoles furnished synthetic tryptophan derivatives in good yields and high levels of enantioselectivity, even on preparative scale. The convergent nature of this transformation should lend itself to the preparation of unnatural tryptophan derivatives for use in a broad array of synthetic and biological applications.