Asymmetric catalytic aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction for the synthesis of 3-substituted-3-aminooxindoles with chiral quaternary carbon centers

The asymmetric catalytic aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman (aza-MBH) reaction of isatin-derived ketimines with MVK has been established by using chiral amino and phosphino catalysts. The reaction resulted in biomedically important 3-substituted 3-amino-2-oxindoles in good yields (>80% for most cases) and with excellent enantioselectivity (90-99% ee). Twenty-eight cases assembled with chiral quaternary stereogenic centers have been examined under convenient systems.

Silver-catalyzed oxidative coupling/cyclization of acrylamides with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds

An efficient silver-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of acrylamides with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds is described. It proceeds through a tandem radical addition/cyclization process, in which two new C–C bonds were formed.

Highly enantioselective fluorination of unprotected 3-substituted oxindoles: one-step synthesis of BMS 204352 (MaxiPost)

The catalytic enantioselective fluorination of N-H-free 3-substituted oxindoles was accomplished by a Sc(III)/N,N'-dioxide complex. Under mild reaction conditions, a series of 3-aryl- and 3-alkyl-3-fluoro-2-oxindoles were obtained in excellent yields (up to 98%) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) by using N-fluorobisbenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) as the fluorination agent. MaxiPost was synthesized efficiently in 81% yield with 96% ee.

Organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition of unprotected 3-substituted oxindoles to 1,4-naphthoquinone

We reported the first example of organocatalytic Michael addition of unprotected 3-prochiral oxindoles 1 to 1,4-naphthoquinone. Quinidine derivative (DHQD)₂PYR was found to be able to catalyze this reaction in up to 83% ee, with moderate to excellent yields. This method could be used for the synthesis of enantioenriched 3,3-diaryloxindoles, and the catalytic synthesis of which was unprecedented.

Organocatalytic asymmetric allylic amination of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates of isatins

The investigation of a Lewis base catalyzed asymmetric allylic amination of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates derived from isatins afforded an electrophilic pathway to access multifunctional oxindoles bearing a C3-quaternary stereocenter, provided with good to excellent enantioselectivity (up to 94% ee) and in high yields (up to 97%).

Dioxindole in asymmetric catalytic synthesis: direct access to 3-substituted 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles via 1,4-additions to nitroalkenes

The asymmetric Michael addition of dioxindoles to β-substituted nitroalkenes is reported. The bifunctional primary amine-thiourea A, by means of a non-covalent-based mode of catalysis, secures direct access to 3-substituted 3-hydroxyoxindole derivatives with high stereocontrol.

Organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of 3-difluoroalkyl 3-hydroxyoxindoles

We report the first example of highly enantioselective organocatalytic synthesis of 3-difluoroalkyl substituted 3-hydroxyoxindoles. The total synthesis of the difluoro analogue of convolutamydine E was achieved by this method.