Alkynals, cyclization palladium-phosphine

A related cyclization of 2-(alkynyl)phenylisocyanates with terminal alkynes to oxindoles was also reported by the same group (Equation (115)).472 (E)-exo-olefinic oxoindoles are selectively obtained. It was proposed that a palladium acetylide generated by the C-H activation of terminal alkynes regioselectively inserts to the alkyne moiety and the resulting vinylpalladium intermediate adds to the C=0 part of the isocyanate to give a (Z)-oxindole. This (Z)-isomer is isomerized to the ( )-isomer under the reaction conditions through catalysis of the phosphine. 

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