Synthesis of Functionalized Spirocyclic Indolines by Visible Light-Induced One-Pot Sequential Difluoromethylative Dearomatization, Hydroxylation, and Substitution Reactions

Herein we describe an one-pot protocol for visible light-induced synthesis of functionalized spirocyclic indolines under mild conditions by means of a process involving sequential difluoromethylative dearomatization, hydroxylation, and substitution reactions of indole derivatives. The transformation proceeds via a hydroxylated acetal pool intermediate that can react with various nucleophiles. Several of the phosphine-oxide and indole-substituted products showed good fungicidal activity, suggesting that this protocol might be useful in the agrochemical field.