As symbolized by the potent alkaloid strychnine, various highly functionalized N-heterocycles (eg, indoles and/or pyrroles) have been isolated from natural sources. 1 Because the structural complexity of these molecules is obviously linked to their significant biological activity, the development of an efficient method for the synthesis of N-heterocyclic derivatives in an optically active form is currently in high demand in organic chemistry. Moreover, a new class of artificial N- ...