Phosphite-Mediated Reductive Cross-Coupling of Isatins and Nitrostyrenes.

A new reductive coupling reaction between N-alkylisatins, dimethyl phosphite, and nitrostyrenes has been developed. The reaction relies on Pudovik addition, subsequent phosphonate-phosphate rearrangement, and Michael-type addition of a transient carbanion on the indolinone with β-nitrostyrenes. This protocol introduces a convenient and versatile method for the construction of polyfunctionalized tertiary phosphates under mild conditions. Chiral general bases catalyze the title reaction with promising levels of enantioselectivity.