Enantioselective synthesis of α-tetrasubstituted (3-indolizinyl) (diaryl)methanamines via chiral phosphoric acid catalysis.

An enantioselective Friedel-Crafts reaction of cyclic α-diaryl N-acyl imines with indolizines catalyzed by a chiral spirocyclic phosphoric acid has been developed. The asymmetric transformation proceeds smoothly to afford α-tetrasubstituted (3-indolizinyl) (diaryl)methanamines in good yields with up to 98% ee under mild conditions. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Chiral α-tetrasubstituted methanamines are frequently distributed in diverse bioactive natural products,[1] and extensive effort has been devoted to constructing these scaffolds in synthetic chemistry over the past decade.[2] Some excellent chiral organocatalysts[3] and chiral metal salt catalysts[4] have been developed in the asymmetric synthesis of chiral α-tetrasubstituted (diaryl)alkyl or (triaryl) methanamines. Despite these notable advances, to the best of our knowledge, there are currently no versatile protocols for the asymmetric preparation of chiral α-(3-indolizinyl)(diaryl) methanamines.

Indolizines as an important class of N-containing heterocycles can be found in organic synthesis and numerous pharmaceuticals (Fig. 1).[5] Many versatile strategies for the direct functionalization of indolizines have been developed.[6] Moreover, some elegant examples toward the asymmetric synthesis of enantioenriched indolizine derivatives have been reported,[7] as shown in Scheme 1. For instance, List and Coelho reported the first organocatalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of indolizines to enones using the chiral BINOL-derived phosphoric acid (BINOL-PA) as a catalyst (Scheme 1a).[7] Zhang and Fu developed a copper-catalyzed enantioselective propargylation reaction of indolizines (Scheme 1b).[7] Later, Zeng's group established a highly asymmetric allylic substitution reaction of indolizine derivatives catalyzed by chiral Ir complexes (Scheme 1c).[7] Ni and Song described an organocatalytic highly diastero- and enantioselective Friedel–Crafts conjugate addition of indolizines to prochiral cyclopentenediones catalyzed by BINOL-PA (Scheme 1d).[7]

Fig. 1

Indolizine-containing bioactive compounds.

Scheme 1

Asymmetric functionalization of indolizines.

Recently, Li and Gu realized the catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of indolizines to unsaturated ketones catalyzed by chiral Rh complexes (Scheme 1e).[7] Very recently, Ni and Song reported BINOL-PA-catalyzed asymmetric atroposelective arylation of indolizines for the preparation of the axially chiral 3-arylindolizines (Scheme 1f).[7] Although these strategies enable direct access to asymmetric synthesis of chiral indolizine derivatives, development of new class indolizines is still a formidable target. To continue our efforts[8] on the advancement of chiral phosphoric acid catalysis,[9] we here present the chiral spirocyclic phosphoric acid (SPINOL-PA) catalyzed enantioselective Friedel–Crafts of indolizines with in situ generated cyclic α-diaryl N-acyl imines[10] for the synthesis of chiral α-(3-indolizinyl)(diaryl) methanamines.

An initial investigation for the asymmetric Friedel–Crafts reaction was carried out with methyl indolizine-2-carboxylate (1a) and 3-phenyl 3-hydroxyisoindolinone (2a) in the presence of 10 mol% chiral phosphoric acid (CPA), as shown in Table 1. Chiral spirocyclic phosphoric acid (SPA) catalysts (4a–d) developed by our group[8] were firstly screened in 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) at room temperature to afford the desired chiral α-(3-indolizinyl)(diaryl) methanamine (3a) with acceptable yields but up to different enantioselectivities, and catalyst 4d gave the best reaction activity and enantioselectivity (89% yield, 74% ee) (entries 1–4). In addition, we also tested BINOL-derived phosphoric acids (5a–d) as catalysts, only low yields (37–72%) and poor enantioselectivities (12–53% ee) were observed (entries 5–8). We believe that the efficient catalytic activity of chiral spirocyclic phosphoric acid (SPA) is due to its special skeleton. Mostly the chiral backbone of the catalyst plays a vital role in attaining high stereoinduction by regulating electronic and structural properties of substrates. On the other hand, the dual hydrogen bonding network between the SPA and other two substrates plays a crucial role in terms of reactivity and selectivity. Moreover, the influence of solvent was investigated (entries 9–13). 1,2-Dichloroethane (DCE) was still the optimal solvent, and this reaction did not even proceed in toluene, THF or EtOAc. Next, the effect of additives was also investigated (entries 14–17). In the presence of 4 Å MS, the desired product 3a could be obtained in 91% yield with 87% ee (17). Lastly, we examined the temperature, and the reaction proceeded for 36 hours to afford the product 3a with 92% ee but in only 9% yield when the temperature was lowered to 0 °C (entry 18). Hence, the optimized reaction conditions employed 10 mol% (S)-4d in 1,2-dichloroethane at room temperature (entry 17).

Optimization of the reaction conditionsa

Entry	CPA	Solvent	Additive	Yieldb (%)	eec (%)
1	(S)-4a	DCE	None	49	15
2	(S)-4b	DCE	None	71	41
3	(S)-4c	DCE	None	78	6
4	(S)-4d	DCE	None	89	74
5	(R)-5a	DCE	None	55	−12
6	(R)-5b	DCE	None	37	−19
7	(R)-5c	DCE	None	61	−23
8	(R)-5d	DCE	None	72	−53
9	(S)-4d	DCM	None	91	37
10	(S)-4d	MeCN	None	55	23
11	(S)-4d	Toluene	None	N.R.	—
12	(S)-4d	THF	None	N.R.	—
13	(S)-4d	EtOAc	None	N.R.	—
14	(S)-4d	MeOH	None	N.R.	—
15	(S)-4d	DCE	Na2SO4	82	78
16	(S)-4d	DCE	MgSO4	79	74
17	(S)-4d	DCE	3 Å MS	80	84
18	(S)-4d	DCE	4 Å MS	91	87
19d	(S)-4d	DCE	4 Å MS	9	91

Reactions were performed with 1a (0.05 mmol), 2a (0.05 mmol) and CPA catalyst (10 mol%) in the presence of additive (100 mg) in solvent (1 mL) for 24 hours at room temperature.

Isolated yields.

Determined by chiral HPLC analysis.

At 0 °C for 36 hours.

With the optimal conditions in hand, we set out to explore the substrate scope and limitations of this asymmetric transformation, as summarized in Table 2. In general, a range of 3-aryl 3-hydroxyisoindolinones 2 with different substituents were amenable to this strategy, and reacted efficiently with methyl indolizine-2-carboxylate 1a to provide good yields and high enantioselectivities (3a–j, up to 94% yield, up to 98% ee). When two methyl groups were placed around the 3-aryl ring, we observed a small drop in enantioselectivity as the corresponding product 3f was obtained in 82% yield and 78% ee. Interestingly, when methoxy group was introduced in ortho position of the 3-aryl, the enantioselectivity was dramatically improved (3e, 91% yield, 98% ee). Furthermore, CF3-group on the 3-aryl substituent proceeded smoothly to afford the desired product 3h in good yield with excellent enantioselectivity (94% ee). We found that 3-alkyl 3-hydroxyisoindolinones were not tolerated and the reactions did not run with 1a under the standard reaction conditions, such as methyl, allyl or benzyl substituent on the isoindolinone alcohol. We tried carrying out the reactions of 3-alkyl 3-hydroxyisoindolinones with substrate 1a in HFIP, and found that the reactions still could not run.

Substrates scopea

Reactions were performed with 1 (0.05 mmol), 2 (0.05 mmol) and (S)-4d (10 mol%) in the presence of 4 Å MS (100 mg) in DCE (1 mL) at room temperature for 24 hours. Isolated yield was given. The ee was determined by chiral HPLC analysis.

We next examined the scope of indolizines 1. Ethyl indolizine-2-carboxylate 1b also gave the desired products (3k–m) in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 94% ee). However, indolizine with a 5-methyl or 5-phenyl substituent depressed the reactivity and failed to provide the desired product under standard conditions because of the steric hindrance. Furthermore, methyl pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline-2-carboxylate 1c also gave the desired products (3n–q) with high enantioselectivities (up to 94% ee). The absolute configuration in product 3p (CCDC 2167990†) was clearly determined to be (R) by X-ray diffraction analysis of a single crystal, and the absolute configuration of products 3 was assigned as (R) by analogy.

To further explore the synthetic practicality of the developed protocol, we investigated a 1 mmol scale reaction of this asymmetric Friedel–Crafts reaction, as shown in Scheme 2. Under the optimized reaction conditions, the reaction of methyl pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline-2-carboxylate 1c (1 mmol) and 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-one 2i (1 mmol) afforded the desired product 3p in 61% yield with 94% ee.

Scheme 2

1 mmol scale reaction.

We attempted to extend the reaction by treating product 3p with NaOH and obtained the corresponding product 4 in 81% yield and 98% ee, as shown in Scheme 3.

Scheme 3

Derivatization experiment.

Conclusions

In summary, we have reported a metal free protocol for chiral spirocyclic phosphoric acid-catalyzed enantioselective Friedel–Crafts reaction of cyclic α-diaryl N-acyl imines with indolizines, providing convenient access to a range of α-tetrasubstituted (3-indolizinyl) (diaryl)methanamines in good yields with up to 98% ee under mild conditions.

Experimental

General information

All reactions were carried out in oven-dried glassware with magnetic stirring under ambient conditions. Unless otherwise noted, all reagents, including the chiral phosphoric acid catalysts 4 and 5, were purchased from commercial supplies and used without further purification, and all solvents were dried and purified according to standard methods prior to use. Substrates 1 (ref. 11) and 2 (ref. 12) were synthesized according to the literature methods. 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker AVANCE III 400 MHz spectrometer instrument at 400 MHz and 100 MHz spectrometer, respectively. The chemical shifts (δ) were quoted in parts per million (ppm) downfield relative to internal standard TMS (0.0 ppm) and referenced to solvent peaks in the NMR solvent (CDCl3 = δ 7.26 ppm; δ 77.00 ppm; d6-DMSO = δ 2.50 ppm; δ 40.00 ppm). Spin multiplicity were reported using the following abbreviations: s = singlet, d = doublet, t = triplet, dd = doublet of doublet, td = triplet of doublet, m = multiplet. Infrared spectra were recorded on an ATR-FTIR spectrometer. ESI-HRMS were recorded on a Water Micromass GCT Premier mass spectrometer. Optical rotations were measured on a PerkinElmer Model 341 polarimeter at 20 °C. Enantiomeric excess (ee) were measured by chiral HPLC analysis.

General procedure for the asymmetric synthesis of 3via chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed reaction of indolizine-2-carboxylate 1 and quinone methyl ester 2

To a mixture of indolizine-2-carboxylate 1 (0.05 mmol), 3-hydroxyisoindolinones 2 (0.05 mmol, 1 equiv.) and catalyst (S)-4a (0.005 mmol, 10 mol%) in DCE (1 mL) was added 4 Å MS (100 mg). After stirring at room temperature for 24 hours, the residue was purified by flash column chromatography with acetate/petroleum ether 1 : 2 (v/v) on silica gel to give the desired product 3.

(R)-Methyl 3-(3-oxo-1-phenylisoindolin-1-yl) indolizine-2-carboxylate (3a)

White solid (17.4 mg, 91%). Mp 119–120 °C. 87% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] AD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 60/40, 1.0 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 14.566 min, tminor = 9.524 min. [α]20D = −440.3° (c 0.36, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 9.02 (s, 1H), 8.26 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 1H), 8.08 (s, 1H), 7.76 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 1H), 7.59–7.50 (m, 3H), 7.25 (m, 5H), 6.55 (m, 2H), 6.12 (d, J = 9.3 Hz, 1H), 3.25 (s, 3H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO) δ 168.9, 165.3, 158.8, 151.1, 145.7, 132.3, 131.6, 130.4, 129.0, 128.6, 127.4, 127.2, 125.6, 125.5, 123.7, 119.6, 119.4, 119.2, 118.1, 112.3, 112.0, 67.1, 60.2, 51.5 ppm. IR (film): γ = 3393, 2949, 1694, 1610, 1541, 1503, 1466, 1370, 1313, 1266, 1222, 1159, 1075, 745, 702 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C24H18N2NaO3 ([M + Na]+) 405.1210, found 405.1211.

(R)-Methyl 3-(3-oxo-1-(p-tolyl)isoindolin-1-yl)indolizine-2-carboxylate (3b)

White solid (15.7 mg, 79%). Mp 118–120 °C. 91% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] AD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 60/40, 1.0 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 14.365 min, tminor = 7.750 min. [α]20D = −571.1° (c 0.30, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 8.98 (s, 1H), 8.26 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 1H), 8.07 (s, 1H), 7.75 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 1H), 7.55–7.48 (m, 3H), 7.15 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.06 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 6.53 (m, 2H), 6.15 (d, J = 9.3 Hz, 1H), 3.27 (s, 3H), 2.23 (s, 3H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO) δ 168.9, 165.4, 151.4, 142.7, 136.5, 132.3, 131.6, 130.4, 129.2, 128.9, 127.2, 125.6, 125.4, 123.7, 119.6, 119.4, 119.3, 118.0, 112.4, 112.0, 66.9, 51.6, 26.8, 21.2, 21.0 ppm. IR (film): γ = 3403, 2949, 1694, 1541, 1508, 1466, 1437, 1364, 1314, 1267, 1221, 1159, 1069, 815, 755, 692 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C25H20N2NaO3 ([M + Na]+) 419.1366, found 419.1364.

(R)-Methyl 3-(1-(4-ethylphenyl)-3-oxoisoindolin-1-yl)indolizine-2-carboxylate (3c)

White solid (19.3 mg, 94%). Mp 105–107 °C. 91% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] AD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 60/40, 1.0 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 14.463 min, tminor = 7.273 min. [α]20D = −486.6° (c 0.38, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 8.99 (s, 1H), 8.26 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (s, 1H), 7.75 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (m, 2H), 7.53–7.48 (m, 1H), 7.17 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.09 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 6.59–6.47 (m, 2H), 6.15 (d, J = 9.3 Hz, 1H), 3.25 (s, 3H), 2.58–2.52 (m, 2H), 1.12 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 3H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO) δ 168.9, 165.4, 151.3, 142.9, 142.9, 132.3, 131.6, 130.3, 128.9, 128.0, 127.2, 125.7, 125.4, 123.7, 119.7, 119.4, 119.3, 117.9, 112.5, 111.9, 66.9, 51.6, 31.6, 30.3, 28.2, 16.1 ppm. IR (film): γ = 3398, 2961, 1694, 1610, 1540, 1504, 1466, 1437, 1364, 1313, 1267, 1221, 1159, 1097, 828, 753, 692 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C26H22N2NaO3 ([M + Na]+) 433.1523, found 433.1526.

(R)-Methyl 3-(1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxoisoindolin-1-yl)indolizine-2-carboxylate (3d)

White solid (14.4 mg, 70%). Mp 113–115 °C. 90% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] AD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 60/40, 1.0 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 12.837 min, tminor = 6.504 min. [α]20D = −434.1° (c 0.26, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 9.01 (s, 1H), 8.25 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (s, 1H), 7.74 (d, J = 7.1 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (m, 2H), 7.53–7.48 (m, 1H), 7.18 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 6.82 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 6.54 (m, 2H), 6.19 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, 1H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.30 (s, 3H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO) δ 168.8, 165.4, 158.6, 151.5, 137.6, 132.3, 131.6, 130.4, 128.8, 127.3, 127.2, 127.0, 125.3, 123.7, 119.6, 119.4, 117.9, 113.9, 112.6, 111.9, 100.0, 66.6, 60.3, 55.6, 51.7 ppm. IR (film): γ = 3393, 2950, 1694, 1608, 1508, 1466, 1437, 1370, 1313, 1297, 1266, 1221, 1177, 1096, 1033, 829, 745, 693 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C25H20N2NaO4 ([M + Na]+) 435.1315, found 435.1317.

(R)-Methyl 3-(1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxoisoindolin-1-yl)indolizine-2-carboxylate (3e)

White solid (18.8 mg, 91%). Mp 111–112 °C. 98% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] AD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 60/40, 1.0 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 8.571 min, tminor = 9.692 min. [α]20D = −412.3° (c 0.39, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (500 MHz, CD2Cl2) δ 7.86–7.83 (m, 1H), 7.81 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (s, 1H), 7.64 (s, 1H), 7.61 (s, 1H), 7.53 (m, 2H), 7.28 (m, 3H), 6.94–6.84 (m, 2H), 6.43 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H), 3.49 (s, 3H), 3.46 (s, 3H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO) δ 169.4, 165.9, 157.4, 149.8, 131.65, 131.6, 129.4, 129.3, 128.6, 125.7, 125.5, 124.0, 120.3, 119.6, 119.0, 118.1, 116.1, 113.3, 112.6, 111.6, 65.7, 55.7, 51.8, 49.9, 29.7 ppm. IR (film): γ = 3393, 2949, 1694, 1610, 1541, 1503, 1466, 1370, 1313, 1266, 1222, 1159, 1075, 745, 702 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C25H20N2NaO4 ([M + Na]+) 435.1315, found 435.1318.

(R)-Methyl 3-(1-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-3-oxoisoindolin-1-yl)indolizine-2-carboxylate (3f)

White solid (16.8 mg, 82%). Mp 113–114 °C. 78% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] AD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 60/40, 1.0 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 10.419 min, tminor = 6.636 min. [α]20D = −421.9° (c 0.33, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.92 (d, J = 6.6 Hz, 1H), 7.79 (m, 3H), 7.54–7.43 (m, 2H), 7.34 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (s, 1H), 6.99 (m, 2H), 6.43 (t, J = 6.7 Hz, 1H), 6.40–6.30 (m, 1H), 5.88 (d, J = 9.5 Hz, 1H), 3.45 (s, 3H), 2.15 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, 6H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO) δ 169.5, 165.6, 150.6, 142.2, 136.4, 135.3, 131.6, 131.0, 130.2, 129.5, 128.6, 126.0, 125.8, 125.7, 124.3, 122.5, 119.7, 119.6, 118.8, 117.6, 113.0, 111.8, 66.7, 51.6, 20.0, 19.4 ppm. IR (film): γ = 3402, 2948, 1694, 1610, 1541, 1500, 1437, 1364, 1313, 1266, 1220, 1159, 1098, 816, 755, 692 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C26H22N2NaO3 ([M + Na]+) 433.1523, found 433.1521.

(R)-Methyl 3-(1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-oxoisoindolin-1-yl)indolizine-2-carboxylate (3g)

White solid (18.2 mg, 91%). Mp 106–107 °C. 87% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] AD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 60/40, 1.0 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 11.698 min, tminor = 7.095 min. [α]20D = −440.4° (c 0.27, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 9.08 (s, 1H), 8.30–8.24 (m, 1H), 8.11 (s, 1H), 7.77 (d, J = 7.1 Hz, 1H), 7.62–7.50 (m, 3H), 7.29 (m, 2H), 7.09 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 6.60–6.52 (m, 2H), 6.20 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 3.33 (s, 3H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO) δ 168.8, 165.2, 162.8, 160.4, 151.0, 142.0, 132.5, 131.5, 130.3, 129.1, 127.7 (d, J = 8.0 Hz), 127.2, 125.5, 123.8, 119.6, 119.3, 119.2, 118.4, 115.4, 115.2, 112.3, 112.0, 66.7, 51.6 ppm. 19F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl3) δ −116.43 (s) ppm. IR (film): γ = 3403, 2950, 1694, 1601, 1504, 1466, 1437, 1365, 1314, 1267, 1222, 1158, 1093, 1051, 832, 744, 692 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C24H17FN2NaO3 ([M + Na]+) 423.1115, found 423.1116.

(R)-Methyl 3-(3-oxo-1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) isoindolin-1-yl)indolizine-2-carboxylate (3h)

White solid (18.0 mg, 80%). Mp 110–111 °C. 94% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] AD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 60/40, 1.0 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 9.671 min, tminor = 5.479 min. [α]20D = −459.6° (c 0.30, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 9.12 (s, 1H), 8.29 (d, J = 6.6 Hz, 1H), 8.16 (s, 1H), 7.79 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.57 (m, 3H), 7.48 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 2H), 6.64–6.52 (m, 2H), 6.14 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.28 (s, 3H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl3) δ 169.3, 165.0, 149.4, 149.2, 131.7, 131.2, 130.4, 129.4, 129.2, 129.1, 125.9, 125.5, 125.3 (d, J = 3.6 Hz), 124.7, 122.8, 119.5, 119.4, 119.2, 117.8, 112.3, 112.0, 66.7, 60.9, 29.7, 14.0 ppm. 19F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl3) δ −62.92 (d, J = 11.9 Hz) ppm. IR (film): γ = 3404, 2961, 1694, 1616, 1541, 1503, 1467, 1438, 1411, 1364, 1326, 1263, 1223, 1194, 1163, 1098, 1068, 1017, 802, 757, 744, 695 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C25H17F3N2NaO3 ([M + Na]+) 473.1083, found 473.1086.

(R)-Methyl 3-(1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-oxoisoindolin-1-yl)indolizine-2-carboxylate (3i)

White solid (16.8 mg, 81%). Mp 126–127 °C. 92% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] AD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 60/40, 1.0 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 13.252 min, tminor = 7.570 min. [α]20D = −530.6° (c 0.39, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 9.06 (s, 1H), 8.27 (d, J = 6.2 Hz, 1H), 8.12 (s, 1H), 7.77 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 1H), 7.60–7.51 (m, 3H), 7.29 (m, 4H), 6.61–6.51 (m, 2H), 6.18 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.33 (s, 3H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO) δ 168.8, 165.1, 150.7, 144.9, 132.5, 132.0, 131.4, 130.4, 129.2, 128.7, 128.6, 128.0, 127.5, 127.3, 125.5, 123.9, 119.7, 119.2, 119.1, 118.5, 112.1, 111.9, 66.8, 51.6 ppm. IR (film): γ = 3403, 2950, 1697, 1637, 1488, 1467, 1437, 1364, 1314, 1268, 1221, 1159, 1093, 1055, 1012, 824, 745, 690 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C24H17ClN2NaO3 ([M + Na]+) 439.0820, found 439.0821.

(R)-Methyl 3-(1-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-oxoisoindolin-1-yl)indolizine-2-carboxylate (3j)

White solid (18.3 mg, 88%). Mp 104–105 °C. 83% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] AD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 60/40, 1.0 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 9.524 min, tminor = 14.566 min. [α]20D = −521.8° (c 0.43, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 9.11 (s, 1H), 8.28 (d, J = 6.1 Hz, 1H), 8.13 (s, 1H), 7.78 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 1H), 7.64–7.51 (m, 3H), 7.28 (t, J = 4.1 Hz, 3H), 7.25–7.18 (m, 1H), 6.61–6.52 (m, 2H), 6.18 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 3.32 (s, 3H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO) δ 168.8, 165.1, 150.5, 148.3, 133.4, 132.6, 131.4, 130.6, 130.4, 129.3, 127.4, 127.3, 125.5, 125.4, 124.5, 123.9, 119.7, 119.2, 119.1, 118.5, 112.1, 111.6, 66.9, 51.6 ppm. IR (film): γ = 3398, 2950, 1698, 1611, 1591, 1541, 1503, 1467, 1437, 1370, 1314, 1266, 1221, 1191, 1079, 746, 729, 630 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C24H17ClN2NaO3 ([M + Na]+) 439.0820, found 439.0823.

(R)-Ethyl 3-(3-oxo-1-phenylisoindolin-1-yl)indolizine-2-carboxylate (3k)

White solid (16.6 mg, 84%). Mp 115–116 °C. 86% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] AD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 60/40, 1.0 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 15.741 min, tminor = 9.017 min. [α]20D = −290.1° (c 0.91, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.93 (d, J = 6.5 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (s, 1H), 7.80 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, 2H), 7.50 (m, 2H), 7.33 (d, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H), 7.24–7.16 (m, 3H), 6.44 (t, J = 6.3 Hz, 1H), 6.36 (m, 1H), 5.89 (d, J = 9.5 Hz, 1H), 4.00 (m, 1H), 3.85 (m, 1H), 1.06 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl3) δ 169.4, 165.1, 150.3, 145.0, 131.5, 131.2, 130.3, 128.7, 128.2, 127.0, 125.9, 125.7, 125.1, 124.4, 119.9, 119.6, 118.8, 117.5, 112.9, 111.8, 66.9, 60.7, 31.5, 30.2, 14.0 ppm. IR (film): γ = 3403, 2949, 1693, 1610, 1560, 1466, 1437, 1369, 1314, 1267, 1222, 1159, 745, 702 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C25H20N2NaO3 ([M + Na]+) 419.1366, found 419.1366.

(R)-Ethyl 3-(3-oxo-1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)isoindolin-1-yl)indolizine-2-carboxylate (3l)

White solid (19.3 mg, 83%). Mp 97–99 °C. 94% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] AD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 60/40, 1.0 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 8.130 min, tminor = 4.912 min. [α]20D = −343.0° (c 0.37, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.96 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 7.82 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 2H), 7.58–7.45 (m, 6H), 7.31 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 1H), 6.47 (t, J = 6.7 Hz, 1H), 6.39 (m, 1H), 5.90 (d, J = 9.5 Hz, 1H), 4.02 (m, 1H), 3.96–3.87 (m, 1H), 1.06 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl3) δ 169.3, 165.0, 149.4, 149.2, 131.7, 131.2, 130.4, 129.4, 129.2, 129.1, 126.8, 125.9, 125.5, 125.3 (d, J = 3.6 Hz), 124.7, 122.8, 119.5, 119.4, 119.2, 117.8, 112.3, 112.0, 66.7, 60.9, 29.7, 14.0 ppm. 19F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl3) δ −62.99 (s) ppm. IR (film): γ = 3403, 2959, 1694, 1615, 1503, 1467, 1326, 1268, 1220, 1163, 1122, 1081, 1017, 837, 744, 695 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C26H19F3N2NaO3 ([M + Na]+) 487.1240, found 487.1241.

(R)-Ethyl 3-(1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-oxoisoindolin-1-yl)indolizine-2-carboxylate (3m)

White solid (16.6 mg, 77%). Mp 93–94 °C. 92% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] AD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 60/40, 1.0 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 13.446 min, tminor = 6.167 min. [α]20D = −507.3° (c 0.25, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.94 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (s, 1H), 7.81 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 7.52 (m, 2H), 7.32 (d, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H), 7.22 (d, J = 3.7 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 6.45 (t, J = 6.7 Hz, 1H), 6.40–6.34 (m, 1H), 5.87 (d, J = 9.5 Hz, 1H), 4.07 (m, 1H), 3.92 (m, 1H), 1.10 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl3) δ 169.3, 165.0, 149.6, 147.3, 134.3, 131.7, 131.2, 130.3, 129.6, 129.1, 127.3, 125.9, 125.8, 125.3, 124.6, 123.4, 119.6, 119.4, 119.1, 117.8, 112.1, 111.9, 66.6, 60.9, 14.1 ppm. IR (film): γ = 3398, 2963, 1694, 1610, 1504, 1466, 1370, 1313, 1267, 1219, 1158, 1096, 830, 745, 692 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C25H19ClN2NaO3 ([M + Na]+) 453.0976, found 453.0977.

(R)-Methyl 1-(3-oxo-1-phenylisoindolin-1-yl)pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline-2-carboxylate (3n)

White solid (16.8 mg, 78%). Mp 156–157 °C. 91% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] OD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 85/15, 0.8 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 48.470 min, tminor = 34.766 min. [α]20D = −525.4° (c 0.20, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.43 (s, 1H), 7.99–7.94 (m, 1H), 7.91–7.85 (m, 2H), 7.58–7.49 (m, 5H), 7.38–7.33 (m, 4H), 7.25–7.19 (m, 2H), 6.72 (d, J = 9.9 Hz, 1H), 5.86 (d, J = 10.0 Hz, 1H), 3.49 (s, 3H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl3) δ 150.1, 144.9, 132.7, 131.7, 131.1, 128.9, 128.9, 128.7, 128.5, 128.4, 127.9, 127.1, 125.9, 125.2, 124.9, 124.5, 123.5, 120.9, 118.8, 118.1, 117.5, 116.4, 114.3, 66.9, 51.6, 31.5, 29.7, 14.2 ppm. IR (film): γ = 3403, 2962, 1694, 1609, 1560, 1513, 1466, 1291, 1261, 1213, 1091, 1030, 799, 752, 701 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C28H20N2NaO3 ([M + Na]+) 455.1366, found 455.1367.

(R)-Methyl 1-(1-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-oxoisoindolin-1-yl)pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline-2-carboxylate (3o)

White solid (21.2 mg, 91%). Mp 144–145 °C. 87% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] OD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 85/15, 0.8 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 27.451 min, tminor = 23.576 min. [α]20D = −550.8° (c 0.19, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.45 (d, J = 5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 2H), 7.92–7.88 (m, 1H), 7.59 (d, J = 5.1 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (m, 3H), 7.41–7.38 (m, 1H), 7.34 (d, J = 6.2 Hz, 2H), 7.27 (d, J = 1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (t, J = 4.5 Hz, 2H), 6.73 (m, 1H), 5.84 (m, 1H), 3.57 (m, 3H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl3) δ 169.7, 169.4, 165.2, 149.5, 149.4, 147.1, 142.2, 131.9, 129.9, 129.7, 129.2, 128.8, 128.7, 127.4, 126.0, 125.9, 125.3, 125.1, 124.7, 123.9, 123.5, 122.9, 121.2, 117.9, 114.4, 87.7, 66.6, 51.8 ppm. IR (film): γ = 3403, 2960, 1694, 1610, 1591, 1513, 1438, 1377, 1291, 1261, 1214, 1128, 1088, 794, 750, 699 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C28H19ClN2NaO3 ([M + Na]+) 489.0976, found 489.0981.

(R)-Methyl 1-(1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-oxoisoindolin-1-yl)pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline-2-carboxylate (3p)

White solid (15.8 mg, 68%). Mp 156–157 °C. 94% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] OD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 85/15, 0.8 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 31.845 min, tminor = 21.607 min. [α]20D = −550.8° (c 0.12, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.44 (s, 1H), 7.98–7.87 (m, 3H), 7.55 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 4H), 7.37 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 3H), 7.21 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 6.73 (d, J = 9.9 Hz, 1H), 5.86 (d, J = 9.9 Hz, 1H), 3.58 (s, 3H) ppm. 13C NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3) δ 171.9, 167.8, 152.1, 149.7, 136.9, 135.9, 135.2, 134.4, 133.7, 132.2, 131.8, 131.6, 131.4, 131.3, 129.9, 128.5, 127.9, 127.8, 127.3, 126.1, 125.8, 123.7, 120.9, 120.5, 118.3, 116.9, 69.2, 54.3 ppm. IR (film): γ = 3398, 2951, 1694, 1610, 1560, 1514, 1486, 1438, 1359, 1291, 1246, 1213, 1150, 1091, 1014, 793, 752, 692 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C28H19ClN2NaO3 ([M + Na]+) 489.0976, found 489.0980.

(R)-Methyl 1-(3-oxo-1-(thiophen-2-yl)isoindolin-1-yl)pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline-2-carboxylate (3q)

Yellow solid (13.4 mg, 61%). Mp 144–145 °C. 92% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel Chiralcel] OD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH = 85/15, 0.8 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 38.232 min, tminor = 26.609 min. [α]20D = −550.8° (c 0.19, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.41 (s, 1H), 8.01–7.95 (m, 2H), 7.89 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.58–7.51 (m, 4H), 7.44 (m, 1H), 7.36 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.11–7.08 (m, 1H), 6.85 (d, J = 3.2 Hz, 2H), 6.72 (d, J = 9.9 Hz, 1H), 5.80 (d, J = 9.9 Hz, 1H), 3.64 (s, 3H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl3) δ 168.9, 165.6, 150.5, 149.8, 132.6, 131.9, 130.6, 129.2, 128.8, 128.7, 128.5, 126.9, 125.7, 125.2, 124.5, 124.2, 123.9, 123.4, 121.1, 119.3, 117.9, 117.3, 115.6, 114.4, 64.6, 51.9 ppm. IR (film): γ = 3403, 2950, 1694, 1601, 1504, 1466, 1437, 1365, 1314, 1267, 1222, 1158, 1093, 1051, 832, 744, 692 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C26H18N2NaO3S ([M + Na]+) 461.0930, found 461.0931.

Procedure for the 1.0 mmol scale reaction

To a mixture of indolizine-2-carboxylate 1c (225 mg, 1 mmol), 3-hydroxyisoindolinones 2i (259 mg, 1 mmol, 1 equiv.) and catalyst (S)-4a (0.1 mmol, 10 mol%) in DCE (20 mL) was added 4 Å MS (2 g). After stirring at room temperature for 24 hours, the residue was purified by flash column chromatography with acetate/petroleum ether 1 : 2 (v/v) on silica gel to give the desired product 3p (284 mg) in 61% yield with 94% ee.

Procedure for the derivatization experiment

To a 100 mL round-bottomed flask, 3p (292 mg, 0.63 mmol), NaOH (125 mg, 3.2 mmol) and 30 mL mixed solvent [THF/MeOH/H2O 2 : 2 : 0.5 (v/v/v)] were added. After refluxing for 5 hours, adjusted the pH to 2 with 1 M HCl and extracted three times with ethyl acetate. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography with acetate/petroleum ether/formic acid 1 : 1 : 1.5% (v/v/v) on silica gel to give the desired product 4(230 mg) in 81% yield with 98% ee.

(R)-1-(1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-oxoisoindolin-1-yl)pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline-2-carboxylic acid

Yellow solid (230 mg, 81%). Mp 212–213 °C. 98% ee, determined by HPLC [Daicel] AD-H column (250 × 4.6 mm), n-hexane/i-PrOH/HCOOH = 80/20/0.1, 1.0 mL min−1, 254 nm, tmajor = 21.848 min, tminor = 12.595 min. [α]20D = −568.889° (c 0.13, CH2Cl2). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD2Cl2) δ 13.31 (s, 1H), 10.37 (s, 1H), 8.56 (s, 1H), 7.92 (m, 2H), 7.59 (m, 2H), 7.53 (m, 2H), 7.47–7.43 (m, 1H), 7.38–7.24 (m, 5H), 6.74 (d, J = 10.0 Hz, 1H), 6.10 (d, J = 10.0 Hz, 1H) ppm. 13C NMR (101 MHz, CD2Cl2) δ 171.5, 167.9, 150.1, 144.1, 133.13, 133.09, 132.2, 131.6, 129.7, 129.5, 129.1, 128.9, 128.5, 127.0, 126.8, 125.5, 124.7, 123.8, 121.2, 119.6, 118.4, 116.6, 114.8, 68.4, 54.4, 54.1, 53.8, 53.5, 53.3 ppm. IR (film): γ = 3290, 2924, 1689, 1661, 1610, 1540, 1488, 1441, 1379, 1329, 1290, 1213, 1154, 1014, 918, 828, 791, 750, 704 cm−1. HRMS m/z (ESI+): calcd for C27H17ClN2NaO3 ([M + Na]+) 475.0820, found 475.0820.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts to declare.