Phosphine-Catalyzed Synthesis of 3,3-Spirocyclopenteneoxindoles from γ-Substituted Allenoates: Systematic Studies and Targeted Applications

Domino reactions of vinyl malononitriles with 3-phenacylideneoxindoles for efficient synthesis of functionalized spirocyclic oxindoles

The reactions of vinyl malononitriles with 3-phenacylideneoxindoles in ethanol in the presence of DBU as base resulted in the functionalized spirocyclic oxindoles through the domino Michael addition and intramolecular nucleophilic addition to cyano group. On the other hand, the similar reaction in the presence of piperidine as base afforded the simple Michael addition products in good yields. The stereochemistry of the spirooxindoles was established with (1)H NMR data and single crystal structures.

Phosphine catalysis of allenes with electrophiles

Nucleophilic phosphine catalysis of allenes with electrophiles is one of the most powerful and straightforward synthetic strategies for the generation of highly functionalized carbocycle or heterocycle structural motifs, which are present in a wide range of bioactive natural products and medicinally important substances. The reaction topologies can be controlled through a judicious choice of the phosphine catalyst and the structural variations of starting materials. This Tutorial Review presents selected examples of nucleophilic phosphine catalysis using allenes and electrophiles.

Recent progress towards transition metal-catalyzed synthesis of γ-lactams

The scope of transition metal-catalyzed synthesis of functionalized γ-lactams has broadened tremendously in the last decade (see the picture). These metal-catalyzed processes are reviewed by highlighting their specificity and applicability, and the mechanistic rationale is presented where possible.