Enantioselective Dearomative Cyclization of Homotryptamines with Allenamides into Indolo[2,3-b]quinolines

Abstract

We have developed a catalytic asymmetric dearomative cyclization of homotryptamine derivatives, furnishing enantioenriched indolo[2,3-b]quinoline scaffolds. The activation of allenamides in the presence of chiral phosphoric acids triggered the dearomative cyclization in up to 99% ee.