A trinuclear Cu2Eu complex catalyzed asymmetric Friedel-Crafts alkylations of indoles with nitroalkenes

Catalytic enantioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylations of indoles and nitroalkenes were carried out by using a new heterotrimetallic Cu/Eu/Cu complex as catalyst based on the simple chiral ligand, reduced Schiff base, affording the Friedel-Crafts adducts with up to 88% yield and 80% ee.