Regio- and enantioselective Friedel-Crafts reactions of indoles to epoxides catalyzed by graphene oxide: A green approach

Abstract

Graphene oxide efficiently promotes high regio- and enantioselective 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 SN2-type reaction, which assures high level of enantioselectivity.