Enantioselective synthesis of α-tetrasubstituted (3-indolizinyl) (diaryl)methanamines via chiral phosphoric acid catalysis.

An enantioselective Friedel-Crafts reaction of cyclic α-diaryl N -acyl imines with indolizines catalyzed by a chiral spirocyclic phosphoric acid has been developed. The asymmetric transformation proceeds smoothly to afford α-tetrasubstituted (3-indolizinyl) (diaryl)methanamines in good yields with up to 98% ee under mild conditions.