Sequential organo and metal catalyzed reaction between 3-pyrrolyloxindoles and linear nitroenynes: access to cyclic aza-spirooxindoles

An asymmetric Michael addition/hydroarylation reaction sequence, catalyzed by a sequential catalytic system consisting of a squaramide and a combination of silver and gold salts, provides a new series of cyclic aza-spirooxindole derivatives in excellent yields (up to 94%) and high diastero- and enantioselectivities (up to 7 : 1 dr, up to >99% ee). Computational study has also been performed.

Enantioselective Friedel-Crafts reaction of hydroxyarenes with nitroenynes to access chiral heterocycles via sequential catalysis

Naphthols, hydroxyindoles and an activated phenol are reacted with differently substituted (E)-nitrobut-1-en-3-ynes using the commercially available Rawal's chiral squaramide. The corresponding β-nitroalkynes were obtained with good yields and excellent enantioselectivities. Moreover, dihydronaphthofurans can be accessed via silver catalysed cyclization in a tandem one-pot procedure, with high preservation of the optical purity.