Stereoselective synthesis of 1,2-diamine containing indolines by a conjugate addition nitro-Mannich reaction.

A conjugate addition nitro-Mannich reaction followed by nitro reduction and intramolecular N-arylation gives diastereomerically pure substituted 1,2-diamine containing indolines. Placing the N-arylation cyclisation handle on the imine precursor derived from an ortho-bromine substituted aromatic aldehyde gave the corresponding β-nitroamines in 55–72% yields as single diastereoisomers. Nitro reduction was effected with modified quantities of Zn/HCl and a subsequent Pd(0) catalysed Buchwald Hartwig cyclisation gave indoline products in 40–70% yields as single diastereoisomers.