Development of Diphenylamine-Linked Bis(imidazoline) Ligands and Their Application in Asymmetric Friedel-Crafts Alkylation of Indole Derivatives with Nitroalkenes

The new diphenylamine-linked bis(imidazoline) ligands were prepared through Kelly-You's imidazoline formation procedure mediated by Hendrickson's reagent in good yields. The novel ligands were tested in the asymmetric Friedel Crafts alkylation of indole derivatives with nitroalkenes. In most cases, good yields (up to 97%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98%) can be achieved. The optimized bis(imidazoline) ligand with trans-diphenyl substitution on the imidazoline ring gave better enantioselectivity than the corresponding bis(oxazoline) ligand.