Zinc-Catalyzed Enantioselective [3 + 3] Annulation for Synthesis of Chiral Spiro[indoline-3,4'-thiopyrano[2,3-]indole] Derivatives.

With a dinuclear zinc-ProPhenol complex as a catalyst, an efficient and novel [3 + 3] annulation of indoline-2-thiones and isatylidene malononitriles has been successfully developed via the Brønsted base and Lewis acid cooperative activation model. This practical methodology gives access to a broad range of chiral spiro[indoline-3,4'-thiopyrano[2,3-]indole] derivatives in good yields with excellent levels of enantioselectivities (up to 88% yield and 99% ee).