Metal-free synthesis of 3,3-disubstituted oxoindoles by iodine(III)-catalyzed bromocarbocyclizations.

"I" did it: An iodine(III)-mediated bromocarbocyclization was elaborated as an efficient tool for the synthesis of oxoindoles. This method is applicable to a variety of structurally different substrates, also with chemically sensitive groups, and gives access to the heterocycles in a regio- and stereoselective fashion. The indole-2-ones obtained can be converted easily into structurally complex target compounds, such as the alkaloid physostigmine.