Organocatalytic Synthesis of 2,3,4,9‐Tetrahydro‐1H‐carbazole Embedded Styrene Atropisomers.

Herein we report the first synthesis of tetrahydrocarbazole embedded styrene atropisomers via the reaction between 1‐(aryl‐ethynyl)‐naphthalen‐2‐ol and 2,3,4,9‐tetrahydro‐1H‐carbazole. The reaction proceeds through in situ vinylidene ortho‐quinone methide (VQM) intermediate formation. The styrene derivatives were obtained in good to high yields with high diastereoselectivities with a catalytic amount of PTSA. A catalytic asymmetric version is also reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]