Lewis Acid Catalyzed Enantioselective Desymmetrization of Donor-Acceptor meso-Diaminocyclopropanes

The first Lewis acid catalyzed enantioselective ring-opening desymmetrization of a donor-acceptor meso-diaminocyclopropane is reported. The copper(II)-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles and one pyrrole with an unprecedented meso-diaminocyclopropane delivered enantioenriched, diastereomerically pure urea products, which are structurally related to natural and synthetic bioactive compounds. The development of a new ligand through the investigation of an underexplored subclass of bis(oxazoline) ligands was essential for achieving high enantioselectivities.