Enantioselective synthesis of isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-dione derivatives via a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed aza-Friedel-Crafts reaction.

A highly enantioselective aza-Friedel-Crafts reaction of structurally new ketimines with indoles and pyrrole is developed by using a chiral phosphoric acid as the catalyst. This protocol enables the first enantioselective synthesis of isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-dione derivatives in good to excellent yields (up to 99% yield) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee).