Dynamic Kinetic Resolution Approach to Chiral Sulfur‐Containing Aza‐[5]helicenes via Chiral Lewis Base Catalyzed C─H Sulfenylation

Z Ze‐Long Li (State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 P.R. China) Y Yu‐Xuan Huo (State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 P.R. China) Q Qi‐Sen Gao (State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 P.R. China) T Tong‐Mei Ding (School of Pharmaceutical Sciences School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China) Z Zhi‐Min Chen (State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 P.R. China)

Abstract

Abstract A chiral sulfide‐catalyzed C─H sulfenylation reaction for the efficient synthesis of chiral sulfur‐containing aza‐[5]helicenes has been developed for the first time. The chiral 1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diamine (BINAM)‐derived sulfide, bearing a tert ‐butyl group, was identified as the optimal catalyst. The transformation proceeds via a dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) process, attributed to the low rotational energy barrier of the indole substrates. This approach features simple and mild reaction conditions, good functional group tolerance, and broad substrate scope (41 examples). A diverse range of chiral sulfur‐containing aza‐[5]helicenes were obtained in high to excellent yields with high to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield and 97% ee). Furthermore, this catalytic system demonstrates applicability for the modification of drug molecules and aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) molecules. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that π⋯π and C─H⋯π interactions play a critical role in determining the observed enantioselectivity.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 52
Published December 22, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (5)

Z

Ze‐Long Li

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 P.R. China

Y

Yu‐Xuan Huo

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 P.R. China

Q

Qi‐Sen Gao

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 P.R. China

T

Tong‐Mei Ding

School of Pharmaceutical Sciences School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China

Z

Zhi‐Min Chen

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 P.R. China