The eco-friendly electrosynthesis of trifluoromethylated spirocyclic indolines and their anticancer activity.

A method for the electrochemical diastereoselective oxytrifluoromethylation of indoles was developed for the eco-friendly synthesis of CF 3 -containing spirocyclic indolines. The cascade reaction comprised anodic oxidation to obtain CF 3 radicals, the addition of radicals to indoles, and intramolecular spirocyclization. The reaction system without external chemical oxidants could easily be scaled up. Antiproliferation assays of these CF 3 -substituted spirocyclic indolines exhibited their promising activities and selectivities toward several types of cancer cells, including Huh-7, A549, and cisplatin-resistant cancer cells (A549/DDP).