Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed Redox-Free [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of N-Sulfonyl Aromatic Aldimines with Maleimides

A ruthenium(II)-catalyzed redox-free cycloaddition of N-sulfonyl aromatic aldimines with maleimides providing 1-aminoindanes in good yields is described. Usually, maleimides reacted with substituted aromatics, affording the Michael-type ortho alkylated aromatics or 1,1-type cyclized spirosuccinimides. In the present reaction, maleimides provided 1,2-type cycloaddition products. The proposed mechanism was strongly supported by the DFT calculations and isolation of a ruthenacycle intermediate.