NHC-Catalyzed Aldol-Like Reactions of Allenoates with Isatins: Regiospecific Syntheses of γ-Functionalized Allenoates.

An N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed γ-specific aldol-like reaction between allenoates and isatins has been achieved under mild conditions, giving trisubstituted allene derivatives bearing isatin moiety in moderate to good yields with high diastereoselectivity and excellent atom efficiency. The DFT computations indicated that the formation of the γ-adduct was more energetically favorable than that of the α-adduct. The result reported herein opens a new route for NHC-promoted allenoate-involved reaction.