Catalytic enantioselective hydrophosphinylation of in situ-generated indole-derived vinylogous imines to access 3-(1-diphenylphosphoryl-arylmethyl)indoles.

An efficient organocatalyzed enantioselective hydrophosphinylation of indole-derived vinylogous imines generated in situ from sulfonyl indoles has been developed. Using quinine-derived bifunctional thiourea as the catalyst, a wide range of structurally diverse chiral 3-(1-diphenylphosphoryl-arylmethyl)indoles were obtained with good to excellent results (up to 99% yield and 99% ee). This method represents the first example of the catalytic asymmetric Michael addition of phosphine oxides to vinylogous imine intermediates.