Highly diastereoselective synthesis of 3-indolylglycines via an asymmetric oxidative heterocoupling reaction of a chiral nickel(II) complex and indoles.

The asymmetric synthesis of 3-indolylglycine derivatives was achieved by an oxidative heterocoupling reaction. This method for the selective C-3 functionalization of unprotected indoles with the chiral equivalent of a nucleophilic glycine nickel(II) complex afforded adducts with high diastereoselectivities. The decomposition of adducts readily afforded 3-indolylglycine derivatives in high yields.