Chiral-at-metal Rhodium(III) Complex Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis of C2-Substituted Benzofuran Derivatives

A highly efficient enantioselective C2-nucleophilic functionalization of 3-aminobenzofurans with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds has been realized under catalysis of chiral-at-metal rhodium(III) complexes, affording a large array of potential bioactive C2-substituted benzofuran derivatives in high yields (76-99%) and enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee).