Extending Pummerer reaction chemistry. Application to the oxidative cyclization of indole derivatives.

Treatment of 2-(phenylsulfinyl)indoles bearing a pendant nucleophile at C(3) with Tf(2)O/lutidine triggers a Pummerer-like cyclization to furnish 3,3-spirocyclic-2-(phenylthio)indolenine products, which can, in turn, be hydrolyzed to 3,3-spirocyclic oxindoles. [reaction: see text]