Diastereoselective Construction of 2-Aminoindanones via an In(OTf)3-Catalyzed Domino Reaction.

An In(OTf)3-catalyzed domino reaction involving sequential oxidative ring opening of aziridines by using the solvent dimethyl sulfoxide and intramolecular Michael addition has been developed for the modular synthesis of 2-aminoindanone compounds by the formation of one new C═O bond and one new C-C bond. The notable feature of this strategy includes broad substrate scope, excellent trans-diastereoselectivities, highly functionalized products, and mild conditions. The catalyst In(OTf)3 plays an important role in the formation of the indanone ring.