Silver-Catalyzed Efficient Synthesis of Oxindoles and Pyrroloindolines via α-Aminoalkylation of N-Arylacrylamides with Amino Acid Derivatives

alpha-Aminoalkylation of N-arylacrylamides with amino acid derivatives was achieved by silver-catalysis in moderate to high yields. The reaction provides an efficient strategy for the synthesis of functionalized oxindoles, and is suitable for a wide range of N-arylacrylamides and amino acids, both of which are inexpensive and readily available. The oxindoles obtained were readily transformed into densely functionalized pyrroloindolines by deprotection and cyclization in one pot.