Atroposelective Synthesis of Pyridoindolones Bearing Two Remote Distinct C–N Axes through Cobalt-Catalyzed Enantioselective C–H Activation

C–N axially chiral compounds represent an important class of atropisomers that are prevalent in bioactive and material molecules. Despite recent advances in synthetic methodologies, the asymmetric construction of atropisomers featuring multiple C–N axes has been rarely explored, significantly limiting their further applications. Herein, we report a novel atroposelective synthesis of diaxially chiral pyridoindolones featuring both six–five and six–six C–N axes through cobalt-catalyzed asymmetric C–H annulation. This approach demonstrates exceptional efficiency, yielding a diverse array of chiral pyridoindolones with excellent yields and atroposelectivities (60 examples, up to >99% yield, >99% ee, and >20:1 dr).…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 92256302, U22A20388, 224B1017, 21925109, 223B2118
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

  Awards: 226-2022-00224, 226-2024-00003