Rh(III)-Catalyzed [3 + 3]-Coupling Cyclization of 3-Hydroxyisoindolinones with Carbenoids: Rapid Access to Spirolactam Skeletons

A Rh(III)-catalyzed [3 + 3]-coupling cyclization of 3-hydroxy-3-phenylisoindolinone with carbenoids has been developed. The method provides an efficient approach to access polyfunctionalized-spiro[isochromene-1,1'-isoindolin]-3'-ones with good to excellent reaction conversions.

Selective construction of dispiro[indoline-3,2'-quinoline-3',3''-indoline] and dispiro[indoline-3,2'-pyrrole-3',3''-indoline] via three-component reaction

A convenient synthetic procedure for the construction of novel dispirooxindole motifs was successfully developed by base-promoted three-component reaction of ammonium acetate, isatins and in situ-generated 3-isatyl-1,4-dicarbonyl compounds. The piperidine-promoted three-component reaction of ammonium acetate, isatins and the in situ-generated dimedone adducts of 3-ethoxycarbonylmethyleneoxindoles afforded mutlifunctionalized dispiro[indoline-3,2'-quinoline-3',3''-indoline] derivatives in good yields and with high diastereoselectivity. On the other hand, a similar reaction of the dimedone adducts of 3-phenacylideneoxindoles afforded unique dispiro[indoline-3,2'-pyrrole-3',3''-indoline] derivatives with a cyclohexanedione substituent. A plausible reaction mechanism is proposed to explain the formation of the different spirooxindoles.

Recent developments in one-pot stepwise synthesis (OPSS) of small molecules

One-pot synthesis is an active topic in organic chemistry due to its intrinsic advantages of simple operation, high mass efficiency, low cost, and less amount of waste disposal. Among three kinds of one-pot syntheses, 1) cascade reactions, 2) multicomponent reactions (MCRs), and 3) one-pot stepwise synthesis (OPSS), OPSS could be more flexible and practical since it is carried out stepwisely and have variable reaction conditions for different steps. This perspective article uses selected examples to highlight the recent development in OPSS involving cyclization, cycloaddition, rearrangement, and catalytic reactions for the synthesis of heterocyclic scaffolds, asymmetric molecules, natural products, and bioactive compounds.

Enantioselective synthesis of isoxazole-containing spirooxindole tetrahydroquinolines via squaramide-catalysed cascade reactions

A class of o-sulfonylaminostyryl isoxazole synthons were designed and demonstrated to be useful building blocks in asymmetric cascade aza-Michael/Michael reaction with 3-olefinic oxindoles. This squaramide-catalysed cascade reaction afforded structurally complex isoxazole-containing spirooxindole tetrahydroquinolines bearing three contiguous stereocenters in good to excellent yields (up to 99%) with high diastereoselectivities (up to >20 : 1 dr) and enantioselectivities (up to 88% ee). Moreover, the gram-scale synthesis and synthetic transformations were also demonstrated.

Three-Component [3+2] Cycloaddition for Regio- and Diastereoselective Synthesis of Spirooxindole-Pyrrolidines

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of nonstabilized azomethine ylides derived from α-C-H functionalization of tetrahydroisoquinoline for regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of spirooxindole-pyrrolidines is developed. A three-component reaction of readily available cyclic amine, aryl aldehydes, and olefinic oxindoles provides a pot, atom and step economy (PASE) approach for making spiro-heterocyclic compounds with biological interest.

Recyclable fluorous cinchona organocatalysts for asymmetric synthesis of biologically interesting compounds

Organocatalysis has unique modes of activation, mild reaction conditions, and good catalyst structural amenability. The integration of green techniques such as catalyst recovery and one-pot reactions makes organocatalysis more efficient and attractive. Presented in this article are the recyclable cinchona alkaloid-catalyzed reactions including fluorination and Michael addition-initiated cascade reactions in asymmetric synthesis of functionalized compounds of biological interest.

Recent advances in organocatalytic asymmetric multicomponent cascade reactions for enantioselective synthesis of spirooxindoles

Catalytic asymmetric MCCRs for enantioselective synthesis of spirooxindoles by using chiral phosphoric acids, amines, bifunctional thiourea/squaramides and metal-based reagents as catalysts.

Organocatalytic Aza-Michael/Michael Cyclization Cascade Reaction: Enantioselective Synthesis of Spiro-oxindole Piperidin-2-one Derivatives

A simple, direct, and highly enantioselective synthesis of spiro-oxindole piperidin-2-one derivatives was achieved through an aza-Michael/Michael cyclization cascade sequence using a squaramide catalyst. The desired products were obtained in excellent yields (up to 99%) and good to high stereoselectivities (up to >20:1 dr and up to 99% ee) under mild conditions.

Recent applications of thiourea-based organocatalysts in asymmetric multicomponent reactions (AMCRs)

This review describes the recent applications of thiourea-based organocatalysts in asymmetric multicomponent reactions.

When Ethyl Isocyanoacetate Meets Isatins: A 1,3-Dipolar/Inverse 1,3-Dipolar/Olefination Reaction for Access to 3-Ylideneoxindoles

A new CuI/1,10-phen-catalyzed reaction for the synthesis of 3-ylideneoxindoles from readily available isatins and ethyl isocyanoacetate, in which ethyl isocyanoacetate acts as a latent two-carbon donor like the Wittig reagent, is reported. A tandem procedure including 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition/inverse 1,3-dipolar ring opening/olefination allows the preparation of 3-ylideneoxindoles with broad functional group tolerance.

Asymmetric Conjugate Additions of Carbonyl Compounds to Nitroalkenes under Solvent-Free Conditions Using Fluorous Diaminomethylenemalononitrile Organocatalyst

The novel fluorous organocatalyst bearing a diaminomethylenemalononitrile motif is prepared. The fluorous organocatalyst efficiently promotes asymmetric conjugate additions of ketones to nitroalkenes and results in high yields of these addition products with excellent enantioselectivities under solvent-free conditions.

Non-Covalent Organocatalyzed Domino Reactions Involving Oxindoles: Recent Advances

The ubiquitous presence of spirooxindole architectures with several functionalities and stereogenic centers in bioactive molecules has been appealing for the development of novel methodologies seeking their preparation in high yields and selectivities. Expansion and refinement in the field of asymmetric organocatalysis have made possible the development of straightforward strategies that address these two requisites. In this review, we illustrate the current state-of-the-art in the field of spirooxindole synthesis through the use of non-covalent organocatalysis. We aim to provide a concise overview of very recent methods that allow to the isolation of unique, densely and diversified spirocyclic oxindole derivatives with high structural diversity via the use of cascade, tandem and domino processes.

Enantioselective synthesis of spirooxindole benzoquinolizines via organo-catalyzed cascade reactions

A Michael–Mannich–hemiaminalization–dehydration cascade reaction was developed for the construction of spirooxindole benzoquinolizine derivatives.

Direct N–H/α,α,β,β-C(sp3)–H functionalization of piperidine via an azomethine ylide route: synthesis of spirooxindoles bearing 3-substituted oxindoles

A protocol for the direct functionalization of N–H/α,α,β,β-C(sp³)–H of piperidine without any metal or external oxidants is reported.

Enantioselective construction of novel chiral spirooxindoles incorporating a thiazole nucleus

Enantioselective synthesis of novel thiazole-fused spirooxindoles has been realized via chiral thiourea catalyzed asymmetric cascade Michael addition/cyclization of thiazolones and 3-ylideneoxindoles.