Three Component Cascade Reaction of Cyclohexanones, Aryl Amines, and Benzoylmethylene Malonates: Cooperative Enamine-Brønsted Acid Approach to Tetrahydroindoles

A three-component
cascade reaction comprising cyclic ketones, arylamines,
and benzoylmethylene malonates has been developed to access 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indoles. The reaction was achieved through cooperative
enamine-Brønsted catalysis in high yields with wide substrate
scopes. Mechanistic studies identified the role of the Brønsted
acid catalyst and revealed the formation of an imine intermediate,
which was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.