Highly stereoselective synthesis of polycyclic indoles through rearrangement/[4+2] cycloaddition under sequential catalysis

Abstract

Cascade transformation: A highly regioselective and stereoselective synthesis of polyfunctional indoles from isatin derivatives and allenic esters is disclosed. The novel cascade transformation is a direct and rapid entry to polycyclic indoles through sequential catalysis of rearrangement and [4+2] cycloaddition under very mild conditions bearing various substituents at many positions. © 2012 The Authors.