Catalytic and Enantioselective Control of the C–N Stereogenic Axis via the Pictet–Spengler Reaction

An unprecedented example of a chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed atroposelective Pictet–Spengler reaction of N-arylindoles is reported. Highly enantioenriched N-aryl-tetrahydro-β-carbolines with C−N bond axial chirality are obtained via dynamic kinetic resolution. The hydrogen bond donor introduced on the bottom aromatic ring, forming a secondary interaction with the phosphoryl oxygen, is essential to achieving high enantioselectivity. A wide variety of substituents are tolerable with this transformation to provide up to 98 % ee. The application of electron-withdrawing group-substituted benzaldehydes enables the control of both axial and point stereogenicity. Biological evaluation of this new and unique scaffold shows promising antiproliferative activity and emphasizes the significance of atroposelective synthesis.