A versatile indium trichloride mediated Prins-type reaction to unsaturated heterocycles.
A versatile and high-yielding indium trichloride mediated cyclization reaction of silylated homoallylic alcohols, thiols, or amines with aldehydes or epoxides is described as a rapid route to a range of unsaturated heterocycles. The excellent diastereoselectivity observed offers a method of wide scope and generality.