Asymmetric synthesis of trans-2,3-disubstituted indoline derivatives.

A novel method for asymmetric synthesis of trans-2,3-disubstituted indolines has been developed. The strategy involves the (-)-sparteine-mediated electrophilic substitution of 2-benzyl N-pivaloylaniline with aromatic or α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and subsequent intramolecular nucleophilic substitution. The simple protocol for two-step process can produce highly enantioenriched indolines 3a-o up to 98:2 er.