Ni-Catalyzed enantioselective reductive aryl-alkenylation of alkenes: application to the synthesis of (+)-physovenine and (+)-physostigmine

A Ni-catalyzed enantioselective reductive aryl-alkenylation of alkenes by cyclizative coupling of an aryl bromide and a vinyl bromide is developed, providing efficient access to functionalized 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles under mild conditions, without requiring the use of preformed vinylmetallic reagents. With this method, a concise formal synthesis of (+)-physovenine and (+)-physostigmine has been completed.