Thiourea-Catalyzed Enantioselective Iso-Pictet–Spengler Reactions

Abstract

A one-pot condensation of isotryptamines and aldehydes that affords enantiomerically enriched 4-substituted tetrahydro-γ-carbolines is reported. The reaction is induced by a chiral thiourea/benzoic acid dual catalyst system. Purification of the N-Boc-protected products by trituration or crystallization provides the optically pure tetrahydro-γ-carboline derivatives in a scalable and highly practical procedure.