Enantioselective Synthesis of 3a-Amino-Pyrroloindolines by Copper-Catalyzed Direct Asymmetric Dearomative Amination of Tryptamines.

A direct asymmetric dearomative amination of tryptamines with O-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)hydroxylamine (DPH) was achieved using CuBr-bisoxazoline complex as a catalyst, affording 3a-amino-pyrroloindolines in good to excellent enantioselectivity under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, the synthetic value of this method was demonstrated in the total synthesis of (-)-psychotriasine in a highly concise manner.