The stereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized tertiary 3-aminoindoles/anilines or dihydropyrroles from C-(3-indolyl)-N-aryl and C,N-diaryl nitrones

We report on the novel properties of nitrones including their transformations via reactions with sodium malonates to give functionalized stereodefined derivatives of tertiary 3-aminoindoles or anilines, as well as fully-substituted dihydropyrroles. The outcome of the reactions is dependent mainly upon the nature of the starting C-nitrone substituent and solvent used. The formation of a new carbon–nitrogen bond in the obtained amines occurs via a nucleophilic 1,2-aryl/3-indolyl shift from C to the adjacent nitrogen.