Asymmetric Synthesis of Axially Chiral Benzocarbazole Derivatives Based on Catalytic Enantioselective Hydroarylation of Alkynes

A new synthetic approach to novel axially chiral benzocarbazole derivatives based on the highly enantioselective intramolecular hydroarylation (94–96% ee) of linked alkyne–indole systems by using the prevalent chiral base catalyst, cinchonidine or cinchonine, under unprecedented transition-metal-free conditions is described. The process is considered to involve chiral base catalysis for enantioselective transformation of the alkyne part to a reaction intermediate with an axially chiral vinylidene o-quinone methide (VQM) functionality, which subsequently effects stereospecific cyclization with the tethered indole moiety.