Studies on the Catalytic Asymmetric Fischer Indolization

This work describes further developments and applications of the catalytic asymmetric Fischer indolization. In the first part of this thesis, the development of an organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of helicenes via a Fischer indolization is discussed. The application of a novel SPINOL-derived phosphoric acid, featuring extended π-surfaces as 3,3‘-substituents which can potentially participate in π-interactions with the polyaromatic intermediate, afforded the corresponding products in high yields and enantioselectivities. The second part of this work describes the development of a catalytic asymmetric dearomatizing synthesis of 1,4-diketones via an interrupted Fischer indolization. Employing aryl hydrazines with α-substituents next to the hydrazine group prevents the rearomatization which takes place in common Fischer indole syntheses, thus enabling the hydrolysis of the generated diimine species. In the presence of STRIP as catalyst, a variety of different 1,4-diketones could be obtained in generally high yields, diastereo- and enantioselectivities. The last part of this thesis deals with the development of an organocatalytic asymmetric stereodivergent synthesis of novel 3H- and 2H-pyrroles, applying an interrupted Fischer indolization and for the 2H-pyrroles a subsequent stereospecific [1,5]-alkyl shift. Employing STRIP as catalyst afforded the corresponding products in good to excellent yields and enantioselectivities. Preliminary biological investigations of these novel structure motifs in cell-based assays, monitoring biological signal transduction pathways showed an inhibition of the Hedgehog signaling pathway in a μM range.