Cooperative catalysis of N-heterocyclic carbene and Bronsted acid for a highly enantioselective route to unprotected spiro-indoline-pyrans

A chiral cooperative catalysis of NHC and Bronsted acid for a formal [4+2] reaction of unprotected isatins and enals was developed for the direct synthesis of unprotected spiro[indoline-3,2'-pyran]-2,6'(3'H)-diones in good to excellent yields (up to 95%) with high enantioselectivities (up to >93% ee).