The synthesis of optically active N-C axially chiral tetrahydroquinoline and its response to an acid-accelerated molecular rotorElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. CCDC 999231. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c5cc03659c

Optically active atropisomeric N -(2,5-di- tert -butylphenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline with an N-C chiral axis was prepared via a catalytic enantioselective reaction. The addition of methane sulfonic acid to this axially chiral quinoline dramatically lowered the barrier to rotation around the chiral axis. The synthesis of an optically active N-C axially chiral amine and its response to a new type of acid-accelerated molecular rotor were achieved.