Chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed atroposelective iodination of N-arylindoles

Abstract Axially chiral indoles have garnered significant attention due to their synthetic and biological importance. However, atroposelective halogenation of this scaffold has been rarely explored. This study presents a catalytic and enantioselective iodination of N-arylindoles, achieving precise c...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ahreum Kim, Hyun-A Cho, Byeongjun Oh, Jayoung Song, Yongseok Kwon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:Communications Chemistry
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-025-01584-1
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Summary:Abstract Axially chiral indoles have garnered significant attention due to their synthetic and biological importance. However, atroposelective halogenation of this scaffold has been rarely explored. This study presents a catalytic and enantioselective iodination of N-arylindoles, achieving precise control over the C−N stereogenic axis. The reaction is facilitated by a chiral phosphoric acid, which promotes iodination at the C-3 position of N-arylindole, followed by iodine migration and deprotonation. A hydrogen-bonding donor on the aromatic ring plays a key role in achieving high enantioselectivities. Under optimized reaction conditions, a wide range of substrates are well-tolerated, and subsequent reactions with various carbonyl electrophiles maintain enantioselectivity. Computational studies provide insights into the origin of enantioselectivity at the plausible enantiodetermining step.
ISSN:2399-3669