Silver-catalyzed tandem hydroamination/hydroarylation of 1-(2-allylamino)phenyl-4-hydroxy-but-2-yn-1-ones to 1'-allylspiro[indene-1,2'-indolin]-3'-ones.

An efficient silver triflate-catalyzed tandem hydroamination/hydroarylation cascade generating 1'-allylspiro[indene-1,2'-indolin]-3'-ones from 1-(2-allylamino)phenyl-4-hydroxy-but-2-yn-1-ones is described. The reaction conditions are mild and general in scope and proceed to highly functionalized spiro-targets in high yield. This novel class of molecule possesses both the privileged indene and indolin-3-one scaffold, which may lead to possible pharmacological applications.