Highly enantioselective electrosynthesis of C2-quaternary indolin-3-ones

A highly enantioselective and direct synthesis of C2-quaternary indolin-3-ones from 2-arylindoles by combining electrochemistry and organocatalysis is described. Excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) and diastereoselectivities (>20 : 1) can be obtained through anodic oxidation in combination with asymmetric proline-catalyzed alkylation in an undivided cell under constant-current conditions. An asymmetric electrosynthesis is developed by combining anodic oxidation and proline-catalysis to realize enantioselective synthesis of C2-quaternary indolin-3-ones from 2-arylindoles.