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Abstract

The first catalytic asymmetric Fischer indolization is reported. In the presence of a 5 mol % loading of a novel spirocyclic chiral phosphoric acid, 4-substituted cyclohexanone-derived phenylhydrazones undergo a highly enantioselective indolization. Efficient catalyst turnover was achieved by the addition of a weakly acidic cation exchange resin, which removes the generated ammonia. The reaction can be conducted under mild conditions and gives various 3-substituted tetrahydrocarbazoles in generally high yields.