Catalytic diastereo- and enantioselective annulations between transient nitrosoalkenes and indoles.

Caught in transition: an efficient catalytic system is the key to the successful development of the first highly diastereo- and enantioselective annulation reaction between indoles and transient nitrosoalkenes. This robust reaction affords structurally unique architectures with up to three new chiral centers. The products can be readily elaborated into other indoline-based chiral heterocyclic motifs, including those of pyrrolidinoindoline alkaloids.