Domino Prins/pinacol reaction for the stereoselective synthesis of spiro[pyran-4,4'-quinoline]-2',3'-dione derivatives.

A wide array of aldehydes undergo smooth cross-coupling with 3-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxybut-1-en-2-yl)-1-methylindolin-2-one in the presence of 10 mol% BF3·OEt2 at 0 °C in dichloromethane to afford the corresponding 2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1'H-spiro[pyran-4,4'-quinoline]-2',3'-dione derivatives in good yields with excellent diastereoselectivity. This is the first report on the synthesis of tetrahydro-1'H-spiro[pyran-4,4'-quinoline]-2',3'-dione scaffolds through a cascade of Prins/pinacol reactions.