Construction of Atropisomeric 3-Arylindoles via Enantioselective Cacchi Reaction.

The de novo construction of axially chiral 3-arylindoles bearing a C(3)-C(aryl) chiral axis has been realized by Pd-catalyzed enantioselective Cacchi reaction between aryl bromides and o-alkynylanilines. The reaction proceeded under mild conditions in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities.