Enantioselective Construction of Axially Iodobenzocarbazole Derivatives by Stereogenic‐at‐Cobalt(III)‐Complex‐Catalyzed Iodoarylation of Alkynes

Abstract A new synthetic approach to novel axially chiral iodobenzocarbazole derivatives based on the highly enantioselective intramolecular iodoarylation of linked alkyne‐indole systems was developed by using the versatile chiral catalyst, stereogenic‐at‐cobalt(III)‐complex, through an axially chiral iodinated vinylidene o ‐quinone methide (IVQM) intermediate. This protocol provides 21 examples in excellent yields with good to high enantioselectivities (up to 96 % yield, 98 % ee). Furthermore, the introduced iodine atoms can easily be converted into other functional groups.