Dynamic kinetic resolution of γ,γ-disubstituted indole 2-carboxaldehydes NHC-Lewis acid cooperative catalysis for the synthesis of tetracyclic ε-lactones.

The ubiquity of ε-lactones in various biologically active compounds inspired the development of efficient and enantioselective routes to these target compounds. Described herein is the enantioselective synthesis of indole-fused ε-lactones by the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-Lewis acid cooperative catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of generated γ,γ-disubstituted indole 2-carboxaldehydes. The Bi(OTf)-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts reaction of indole-2-carboxaldehyde with 2-hydroxy phenyl -quinone methides generates γ,γ-disubstituted indole 2-carboxaldehydes, which in the presence of NHC and Bi(OTf) afforded the desired tetracyclic ε-lactones in up to 93% yield and >99 : 1 er. Moreover, preliminary studies on the mechanism of this formal [4 + 3] annulation are also provided.