Enantioselective Pd-Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation of Indoles by a New Class of Chiral Ferrocenyl P/S Ligands

Chiral ferrocenyl heterobidentate P/S ligands bearing both central and planar chirality were prepared from (S)-Ugi's amine via a three-step modular synthesis. Through systematic screening and optimization, L8 was found to be the best ligand for Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of indoles with ee's up to 96% being attained.