Catalytic Enantioselective Aziridoarylation of Aryl Cinnamyl Ethers toward Synthesis of trans-3-Amino-4-arylchromans

Catalytic enantioselective one-pot aziridoarylation reaction of aryl cinnamyl ethers has been demonstrated in detail. Combination of suitable copper catalyst and chiral bis-oxazoline ligand was found to be very efficient for asymmetric aziridination followed by intramolecular arylation (Friedel–Crafts) reaction to provide a general and direct method for the synthesis of trans-3-amino-4-arylchromans with high regio-, diastereo- (dr > 99:1), and enantioselectivity (up to 95% ee) with moderate yield. trans-3-Amino-4-arylchroman is an advanced intermediate for the synthesis of chromenoisoquinoline compounds such as doxanthrine, a potent and selective full agonist for the dopamine-D1 receptor.