Synthesis of heteroarylidene malonate derived bis(thiazolines) and their application in the catalyzed Friedel-Crafts reaction

A series of novel heteroarylidene malonate derived bis(thiazoline) ligands 1 and 2 were synthesized and applied to a Friedel-Crafts reaction between indole and alkylidene malonate. The Cu(OTf)(2) complex of ligand 2b bearing a benzyl group afforded moderate to excellent enantioselectivity for the adducts (up to >99% ee). (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.