Silver(I)-mediated oxidation/cyclization of acrylamides with alkyl trifluoroborates

A mild silver-mediated oxidative cyclization of acrylamides has been developed by using alkyl trifluoroborates as radical precursors. It proceeds through a tandem radical addition/cyclization process, in which two new carbon-carbon bonds were formed. This protocol allows reliable and practical access to build the skeleton of 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles in moderate yields, the readily available starting reagents, broad substrate scope and mild reaction conditions are the characteristic features of this protocol.