Organo/Silver Dual Catalytic (3 + 2)/Conia-Ene Type Cyclization: Asymmetric Synthesis of Indane-Fused Spirocyclopenteneoxindoles

Developing efficient strategies to synthesize spirocyclopenteneoxindoles is an attractive target due to their potential biological activity. This work described the thiourea/silver dual catalytic (3 + 2)/Conia-ene type reaction of 2-(2-oxoindolin-3-yl)malononitrile with ortho-ethynyl substituted nitrostyrene. The reaction features mild conditions and good atom- and step-economy. Three new C–C bonds were formed within one synthetic step, providing the indane-fused spirocyclopenteneoxindoles in good yields, with excellent chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity.