Enantioselective formation of indolines was achieved through desymmetrization of α,α-bis(2-iodobenzyl)glycines under the catalysis of copper(I) iodide and (2S,3aS,7aS)-octahydro-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid. An unexpected inversion of enantioselectivity was observed when achiral additives such as 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine were added which work together with the ligand. The configuration-reversed products were obtained in moderate yields as well as moderate ee values.
Key words
asymmetric desymmetrization - indolines - copper catalysis - N-arylation - inversion