Cooperative catalysis of N-heterocyclic carbene and Brønsted acid for a highly enantioselective route to unprotected spiro-indoline-pyrans†
Abstract
A chiral cooperative catalysis of NHC and Brønsted acid for a formal [4+2] reaction of unprotected isatins and enals was developed for the direct synthesis of unprotected spiro[indoline-3,2′-pyran]-2,6′(3′H)-diones in good to excellent yields (up to 95%) with high enantioselectivities (up to >93% ee).