Spiroindoline lactams 9 and imides 11 were efficiently and diastereose
lectively prepared by photocyclization of N-arylenaminolactams 8 and e
sters 5 respectively. Imides 11 were conveniently transformed into the
known indolines 13 and 14 which are key intermediates for the synthes
is of (+/-)-vindorosine and Aspidosperma alkaloids. (C) 1997 Elsevier
Science Ltd.