Synthesis of 3,3-Disubstituted Oxindoles by Palladium-Catalyzed Tandem Reaction of 2-(Alkynyl)aryl Isocyanates with Benzylic Alcohols

A palladium complex sequentially promoted two mechanistically distinct reactions, the first, cyclization of 2-(alkynyl)aryl isocyanates with benzylic alcohols, and the second, [1,3] rearrangement of a benzyl group from oxygen to carbon, furnishing 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles in one pot.