Aerobic Acylarylation of α,β-Unsaturated Amides with Aldehydes.

Herein, we illustrate that molecular oxygen (O) is capable of promoting oxidative radical acylarylation of olefins with aliphatic aldehydes to afford acylated oxindoles in good yield (up to 97%). The key aspect of the process is the utilization of aldehyde auto-oxidation in developing aerobic radical olefin acylarylation. Kinetic studies confirm a lag phase for the reaction. Synthetic utility of the method is apparent via the preparation of biologically potent spirocyclic oxindoles and tetrahydrofuranoindolines.