selective dehydrohalogenation to form alpha-haloacrylate analogues. A variety of alpha-halo Michael acceptors were prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide under mild, base-free conditions, including the preparation of alpha-bromoacrolein and alpha-chloro- and bromoacrylonitriles. Synthesis of these molecules has been reported in the literature to be difficult. Among all the existing dehydrohalogenation procedures
<i>N</i>-Heterocyclic-Carbene-Catalyzed Reaction of α-Bromo-α,β-Unsaturated Aldehyde or α,β-Dibromoaldehyde with Isatins: An Efficient Synthesis of Spirocyclic Oxindole-Dihydropyranones
Smooth as isatin! A straightforward synthesis of spirocyclic oxindole–dihydropyranones through an N‐heterocyclic‐carbene‐catalyzed [4+2] annulation of α‐bromo‐α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes or α,β‐dibromoaldehyde bearing γ‐H with isatin derivatives under mild reaction conditions is disclosed (see scheme). The concise construction, ready availability of the starting materials, avoidance of external oxidants