Iridium-catalyzed asymmetric allenylic substitution of tertiary racemic allenylic alcohols with indoles

Abstract

We report an allenylic substitution of racemic tertiary allenylic alcohols with indoles by a cooperative catalyst consisting of iridium/(P,olefin)-ligand catalyst and Lewis acid to give allenylated indoles bearing a quaternary carbon center with good enantioselectivities. 7-Azaindoles also reacted with allenylic alcohols to form the corresponding allenylated products with high enantioselectivities.