Base-Mediated Divergent Synthesis of Spiro-heterocycles Using Pronucleophiles and Ethylene via Thianthrenation

Spirocyclic compounds are abundant in biologically active products. However, the divergent synthesis of spirocyclic compounds using low-cost and abundant available starting materials remains a challenge. Herein, we report an effective method for producing spirocyclic motifs using a cyclic β-carbonyl ester or amide and ethylene via thianthrenation. This strategy highlights the exciting possibility of utilizing abundant ethylene as a C-2 synthon and allows regulating the core structure of the spirocyclic compound by simply altering the base type.