Organocatalytic Asymmetric Friedel−Crafts Alkylation of Indoles with Simple α,β-Unsaturated Ketones

The first general and highly enantioselective organocatalytic Friedel−Crafts alkylation of indoles with simple α,β-unsaturated ketones has been accomplished. Central to these studies has been the identification of a new catalyst amine salt, in which both the cation and the anion are chiral, that exhibits high reactivity and selectivity for iminium ion catalysis.