A catalytic asymmetric decarboxylative [4+2] cycloaddition of vinyl benzoxazinanones with methyleneindolinones has been established, which provided a series of chiral tetrahydroquinoline-based 3,3'-spirooxindoles in high yields (up to 96%) and with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (all >95 : 5 d.r., up to 99% ee). This reaction not only represents the first example of catalytic enantioselective [4+2] cycloaddition between methyleneindolinones and Pd-containing 1,4-dipoles, but also demonstrates the great practicability of catalytic asymmetric decarboxylative cycloadditions in the synthesis of enantio-enriched polycyclic compounds.

An efficient domino 1,6-addition/intramolecular cyclization reaction between para-quinone methides (p-QMs) and azlactones under Brønsted acid catalysis was established. A series of highly functionalized dihydrocoumarins were constructed in good to excellent yields (up to 96%) with excellent diastereoselectivities (all >20:1 d.r.). In this process, the Brønsted acid plays a crucial role not only in activating the two substrates, but also in controlling the diastereoselectivity of the reaction via hydrogen-bonding interactions. In addition, this protocol demonstrates the great practicability of utilizing p-QMs in domino reactions.