Copper-Catalyzed Redox-Neutral Cyanoalkylarylation of Activated Alkenes with Cyclobutanone Oxime Esters

The copper-catalyzed cyclization of activated alkenes with cyclobutanone O-aryl oximes under redox-neutral conditions has been reported. This facile protocol provided an efficient approach to a variety of cyanoalkylated oxindoles and dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-ones with a broad substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance. In this reaction, sequential C-C bond cleavage, radical addition, and cyclization processes were involved, wherein multiple bonds were constructed in a one-pot reaction. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction probably proceeded via a radical pathway.