Catalytic asymmetric aza-ene reaction of 3-indolylmethanols with cyclic enaminones: enantioselective approach to C3-functionalized indoles.

The catalytic asymmetric aza-ene reactions of 3-indolylmethanols with cyclic enaminones and the highly enantioselective aza-ene reactions utilizing cyclic aza-ene components have been established, which directly assemble isatin-derived 3-indolylmethanols and dimedone-derived enaminones into C3-functionalized chiral indoles with one all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield, up to 95:5 er).