Authors: Yajing Lian and Huw M. L. Davies
J. Am. Chem. Soc.,
2010, 132 (2), 440–441
An effective Rh2(S-DOSP)4-catalyzed asymmetric cyclopentannulation of indolyl rings has been developed. Depending on the substitution pattern of the indole, two distinct regioisomeric products can be generated. These studies demonstrate that rhodium-catalyzed reactions of donor/acceptor carbenoids proceeding by means of zwitterionic intermediates can be carried out with very high asymmetric induction.