One-Pot Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 1H-Pyrrolo[1,2a]indol-3(2H)-ones via a Michael-Hemiaminalization-Oxidation Sequence

An efficient one-pot organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of 1,2-cis-disubstituted 1H-pyrrolo[ 1,2a] indol-3(2H)-ones in moderate to good overall yields (49-68%) is presented. The Michael-hemiaminalization-oxidation sequence occurs with very high asymmetric induction and, after purification, virtually stereoisomerically pure products were obtained (>98% de, >99% ee).