Organocatalytic Synthesis of 2,3,4,9‐Tetrahydro‐1H‐carbazole Embedded Styrene Atropisomers

Abstract Herein we report the first synthesis of tetrahydrocarbazole embedded styrene atropisomers via the reaction between 1‐(aryl‐ethynyl)‐naphthalen‐2‐ol and 2,3,4,9‐tetrahydro‐1 H ‐carbazole. The reaction proceeds through in situ vinylidene ortho ‐quinone methide (VQM) intermediate formation. The styrene derivatives were obtained in good to high yields with high diastereoselectivities with a catalytic amount of PTSA. A catalytic asymmetric version is also reported.