Thiourea-catalyzed enantioselective addition of indoles to pyrones: alkaloid cores with quaternary carbons

J Am Chem Soc. 2014 Oct 1;136(39):13614-7. doi: 10.1021/ja508523g. Epub 2014 Sep 17.

Abstract

We report the development of a catalytic method for the enantioselective addition of indoles to pyrone-derived electrophiles. Arylpyrrolidino-derived thioureas catalyze the addition with high stereoselectivity in the presence of catalytic quantities of an achiral Brønsted acid. The indole-pyrone adducts feature a quaternary stereocenter and represent an unusual class of indolines bearing structural resemblance to the hybrid natural product pleiocarpamine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / chemical synthesis*
  • Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Catalysis
  • Indoles / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Pyrones / chemistry*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Thiourea / chemistry*

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Indoles
  • Pyrones
  • pleiocarpamine
  • Thiourea