Natural carbolines inspired the discovery of chiral CarOx ligands for asymmetric synthesis and antifungal leads

The unprecedented beta-CarOxligands were conceived by the hybridization of alangiobussinine and the privileged pyridine-oxazoline scaffold. They performed well in the highly enantioselective Pd-catalyzed Michael addition of arylboronic acids to nitrostyrenes and beta-substituted cyclic enone (up to 99% ee). The beta-CarOxligands also showed an enhanced antifungal effect compared to alangiobussinine, demonstrating promising antifungal leads againstSclerotinia sclerotiorum.