Catalytic Enantioselective Meerwein-Eschenmoser Claisen Rearrangement: Asymmetric Synthesis of Allyl Oxindoles

The first catalytic, enantioselective Meerwein-Eschenmoser Claisen rearrangement has been achieved, Palladium(II) BINAP or phosphinooxazoline catalysts were employed to generate oxindole products with 100% conversion and up to 92% ee.