Palladium-Catalyzed Aryl-Furanylation of Alkenes: Synthesis of Benzofuran-Containing 3,3-Disubstituted Oxindoles.

A novel palladium-catalyzed aryl-furanylation of alkenes is described. This protocol provided a straightforward route to the synthesis of various benzofuran-containing 3,3-disubstitutedoxindole derivatives bearing a quarternary carbon center. In the cascade process, one C(sp2)-O bond, two C(sp2)-C(sp3) bonds, an oxindole, and a furan ring are formed in a single chemical operation.