A Novel Method for Synthesizing N-Alkoxycarbonyl Aryl a-Imino Esters and Their Applications in Enantioselective Transformations

A new strategy for the synthesis of N-alkoxycarbonyl aryl a-imino esters in the presence of dirhodium tetraacetate [Rh2(OAc)4] is reported to produce the desired compounds in high yield (up to 96%) under mild reaction conditions. The application of the synthetic method is demonstrated in enantioselective reduction and FriedelCrafts reaction of indoles to afford the corresponding chiral arylglycines and indole derivatives, respectively, in high yield and excellent ee.