Synthesis of optical active tetramethyl-1,1′-spirobiindane-based iodoarenes and evaluation of their use as axially chiral organocatalysts

Three novel axially chiral iodoarenes based on the tetramethyl-1,1′-spirobiindane skeleton were successfully prepared starting from Bisphenol A. The reactivity and selectivity were evaluated in the asymmetric oxidative formation of CN bonds through an intramolecular desymmetrization strategy, resulting in ee’s up to 92% with high yield.