Regio- and Enantioselective Friedel-Crafts Reactions of Indoles to Epoxides Catalyzed by Graphene Oxide: A Green Approach

Graphene oxide efficiently promotes high regio- and enantio-selective ring opening reactions of aromatic epoxides by indoles addition, in solvent-and metal-free conditions. The Friedel-Crafts products were obtained with enantioselectivity up to 99% ee. The complete inversion of stereochemistry indicates the occurrence of S(N)2-type reaction, which assures high level of enantioselectivity.