Mechanistic Perspectives in the Regioselective Indole Addition to Unsymmetrical Silyloxyallyl Cations

J Org Chem. 2019 Jun 7;84(11):7166-7174. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.9b00853. Epub 2019 May 16.

Abstract

Our investigations on the reaction mechanism to account for regioselectivity on the addition of indoles to unsymmetrical silyloxyallyl cations are reported. Using both experimental and computational methods, we confirmed the significance of steric effects from the silyl ether group toward directing the inward approach of indoles, leading to nucleophilic attack at the less substituted electrophilic α'-carbon. The role of residual water toward accelerating the rate of reaction is established through stabilization of the participating silyloxyallyl cation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cations / chemistry
  • Epoxy Compounds / chemistry*
  • Indoles / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Organosilicon Compounds / chemistry*
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Cations
  • Epoxy Compounds
  • Indoles
  • Organosilicon Compounds
  • indole