Combining Organocatalysis and Iodine Catalysis: One-Pot Sequential Catalytic Synthesis of Chiral Spirodihydrobenzofuran Pyrazolones and Spirodihydrobenzofuran Oxindoles.

A new and efficient catalytic strategy that combines asymmetric organocatalysis and iodine catalysis was first developed for the one-pot Michael/iodization/SN2 nucleophilic substitution sequential catalytic synthesis of spirodihydrobenzofuran pyrazolones and spirodihydrobenzofuran oxindoles. The approach results in products with moderate to high yields (up to 93%), high to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee), and excellent diastereoselectivities (up to >99:1 dr). The reaction features simple operation and is metal-free and base-free.