Asymmetric Fluorinative Dearomatization of Tryptophol Derivatives by Chiral Anion Phase-Transfer Catalysis

An asymmetric fluorinative dearomatization reaction of tryptophol derivatives was developed via chiral anion phase-transfer catalysis. Various fluorinated furoindolines were obtained in moderate to excellent yields and enantioselectivity in the presence of Selectfluor. The preliminary mechanistic studies suggested the existence of an in situ formed tryptophol boronic ester plays a critical role in determining the enantioselectivity. This method features the facile introduction of a fluorine atom in a highly enantioselective manner and construction of two contiguous quaternary stereogenic centers.