Iridium nitrenoid-catalyzed atroposelective C2 arylation of indoles

Axially chiral indole derivatives are valuable in synthetic and medicinal chemistry, yet the catalytic synthesis of C2-aryl indole atropisomers remains challenging. Herein, we report a highly atroposelective C2-arylation of indoles with β-azidonaphthalenes via iridium nitrenoid-promoted arene C-H functionalization. Employing a chiral oxazoline N,C-chelating Cp*Ir(iii) complex as the catalyst, the reaction proceeds under mild conditions, delivering configurationally stable C2-aryl indoles in good yields with high enantioselectivities. The strategy provides a straightforward method for atroposelective synthesis of C2-aryl indoles, a class of compounds that hold great potential in asymmetric catalysis and medicinal chemistry.