Silver-catalyzed asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition via dynamic kinetic resolution: access to chiral oxazolines bearing C-N axial chirality.

A silver-catalyzed asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition of N-aryl indole aldehydes/ketones with isocyanoacetates is reported. Facilitated by a cinchona alkaloid-derived ligand, this protocol enables the simultaneous construction of C-N axial chirality and two stereocenters in oxazolines under mild conditions. The reaction affords products in excellent yields (up to 99%) with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >20 : 1 dr, 99% ee).