Dual metal and Lewis base catalysis approach for asymmetric synthesis of dihydroquinolines and the α-arylation of aldehydes via N-acyliminium ions.

A dual catalytic system consisting of indium triflate and a chiral imidazolidinone catalyzes the asymmetric addition of aldehydes to N-acyl quinoliniums furnishing optically active dihydroquinolines in good yields and excellent selectivities. The products were further functionalized into optically active tetrahydroquinolines, quinolines and 6-oxa-2-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes.