Organocatalytic Asymmetric Diels-Alder Reactions of 3-Vinylindoles

Diels or no Diels? A bifunctional organic catalyst based on the thiourea motif is able to coordinate both diene and dienophile in an unprecedented asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction of 3-vinylindole derivatives, giving a rapid access to optically active tetra- and hexahydrocarbazoles with excellent results in terms of yields, diastereoselectivities, and enantioselectivities.