Enantioselective Formal Arylation of (7‐Aza)isatylidene Malononitriles with α′‐Alkylidene‐2‐cyclohexenones

An asymmetric intermolecular Rauhut‐Currier reaction of α′‐alkylidene 2‐cyclohexenones and (7‐aza)isatinylidene malononitriles is realized under the double activation catalysis of natural quinine and 2‐mercaptobenzoic acid, finally affording formal 3‐arylated spiro (7‐aza)oxindole derivatives in fair to excellent enantioselectivity after a tandem cyclization/aromatization process (up to 96% ee).