Diastereoselective synthesis of functionalized tetrahydropyridazines containing indole scaffolds via an inverse-electron-demand aza-Diels–Alder reaction

An unprecedented base-promoted and catalyst-free inverse-electron-demand aza-Diels–Alder (IEDDA) reaction between easily available in situ generated azoalkenes and 3-vinylindoles has been developed. This efficient protocol afforded structurally important tetrahydropyridazines containing indole scaffolds with excellent results (72%–89% yields, >20 : 1 dr). Moreover, the catalytic asymmetric version of this reaction was preliminarily realized through a Cu/(S,S)-iPr-box system to prepare the desired chiral product with 81% yield and >20 : 1 dr and 93% ee. The cyclization products could also be well functionalized to access other useful organic molecules through simple transformations.