Recent advances in the organocatalytic synthesis of chiral C3-spiro-cyclopentaneoxindoles

Although there have been various reviews on the asymmetric construction of C3-spirooxindoles, there is a scarcity of reviews focusing on the asymmetric organocatalytic synthesis of C3-spiro-cyclopentaneoxindole derivatives. This particular scaffold has garnered significant attention from synthetic chemists due to its relevance in medicinal chemistry. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advancements in the asymmetric organocatalytic synthesis of various C3-spiro-cyclopentaneoxindoles using organic catalysts. The work is divided into sections according to the type of catalysis, including covalent catalysis (amine catalysis and N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis) and non-covalent catalysis (chiral phosphoric acid catalysis, hydrogen bond catalysis, and phase transfer catalysis). Furthermore, we discuss existing challenges and future directions within this field. It is our belief that this review will serve as an informative resource for researchers engaged in synthesizing C3-spiro-cyclopentaneoxindoles and inspire further advancements in this area.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Spiro[cyclopentane-1,3'-oxindole] Scaffolds with Five Consecutive Stereocenters

A highly diastereo- and enantioselective cascade annulation reaction of Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) maleimides of isatins with ortho-hydroxychalcones was achieved by a chiral N,N'-dioxide/Mg(II) complex Lewis acid catalyst. This strategy provides a concise and efficient route to densely functionalized spiro[cyclopentane-1,3'-oxindole] compounds with five consecutive stereocenters. The reaction itself features mild conditions, good functional group compatibility, and broad substrate scope (62 examples, up to 99% yield, up to >20:1 dr, 97% ee). In addition, an obvious ligand acceleration effect and chiral amplification effect were observed. DFT calculations were performed to elucidate the stereoselectivity observed. The gram-scale synthesis and the inhibitory effect of two products on the viability of A549 cells demonstrate the potential utility of the current method.

Assessing Squarates as Amine-Reactive Probes

Probes that covalently label protein targets facilitate the identification of ligand-binding sites. Lysine residues are prevalent in the proteome, making them attractive substrates for covalent probes. However, identifying electrophiles that undergo amine-specific, regioselective reactions with binding site lysine residues is challenging. Squarates can engage in two sequential conjugate addition-elimination reactions with amines. Nitrogen donation reduces the second reaction rate, making the mono squaramide a mild electrophile. We postulated that this mild electrophilicity would demand a longer residence time near the amine, affording higher selectivity for binding site lysines. Therefore, we compared the kinetics of squarate and monosquaramide amine substitution to alternative amine bioconjugation handles. The data revealed that N-hydroxy succinimidyl esters react 4 orders of magnitude faster, consistent with their labeling promiscuity. Squarate reactivity can be tuned by a substitution pattern. Electron-withdrawing groups on the vinylogous ester or amide increase reaction rates. Dithionosquarates react more rapidly than squarates, while vinylogous thioester analogs, dithiosquarates, react more slowly. We assessed squarate selectively using the UDP-sugar processing enzyme GlfT2 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which possesses 21 surface-exposed lysines. The reaction predominately modified one lysine proximal to a binding site to afford covalent inhibition. These findings demonstrate the selectivity of squaric esters and squaramides, which is a critical feature for affinity-based chemoproteomic probes.

Access to Spirooxindole-Fused Cyclopentanes via a Stereoselective Organocascade Reaction Using Bifunctional Catalysis

The present study reports an asymmetric organocascade reaction of oxindole-derived alkenes with 3-bromo-1-nitropropane efficiently catalyzed by the bifunctional catalyst. Spirooxindole-fused cyclopentanes were produced in moderate-to-good isolated yields (15-69%) with excellent stereochemical outcomes. The synthetic utility of the protocol was exemplified on a set of additional transformations of the corresponding spirooxindole compounds.

Stereoselective Domino Reactions in the Synthesis of Spiro Compounds

This review summarizes the latest developments in asymmetric domino reactions, with the emphasis on the preparation of spiro compounds. Discussions on the stereoselectivity of the transformations, the reaction mechanisms, the rationalization of the stereochemical outcome, and the applications of domino reactions to the synthesis of biologically active molecules and natural products are included when appropriate.

1 Introduction

2 Asymmetric Domino Reactions

2.1 Domino Reactions Initiated by Michael Reactions

2.2 Domino Reactions Initiated by Mannich Reactions

2.3 Domino Reactions Initiated by Knoevenagel Reactions

2.4 Domino Reactions Initiated by Cycloaddition Reactions

2.5 Domino Reactions Initiated by Metal Insertion

2.6 Other Mechanisms

3 Conclusion

Tandem 1,6-addition/cyclopropanation/rearrangement reaction of vinylogous para-quinone methides with 3-chlorooxindoles: construction of vicinal quaternary carbon centers

A novel tandem 1,6-addition/cyclopropanation/rearrangement reaction of vinylogous para-quinone methides with 3-chlorooxindoles has been developed, providing dispirooxindole–cyclopentane–cyclohexadienones with vicinal quaternary carbon centers.

Enantioselective Construction of Spirooxindole-Fused Cyclopentanes

The present study reports an asymmetric organocatalytic cascade reaction of oxindole derivates with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes efficiently catalyzed by simple chiral secondary amine. Spirooxindole-fused cyclopentanes were produced in excellent isolated yields (up to 98%) with excellent enantiopurities (up to 99% ee) and moderate to high diastereoselectivities. The synthetic utility of the protocol was exemplified on a set of additional transformations of the corresponding spiro compounds. In addition, a study showing the promising biological activity of selected enantioenriched products was accomplished.

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.

Stereoselective synthesis and applications of spirocyclic oxindoles

This review summaries recent synthetic developments towards spirocyclic oxindoles and applications as valuable medicinal and synthetic targets.

A base-catalyzed domino reaction between isoindigos and α-alkylidene succinimides-convenient preparation of highly steric bispirooxindoles

A new base promoted Michael-Michael domino cycloaddition between isoindigos and α-alkylidene succinimides has been developed for highly efficient and one-step convenient preparation of highly steric bispiroxindoles with two adjacent quaternary carbon centers and four consecutive cycles in excellent yields (up to 96%) and diastereoselectivities (up to >20 : 1) under mild conditions within a few minutes. A series of bisprooxindoles were obtained and the synthetic potential of the protocol was evaluated in a scale-up preparation.

Enantioselective Direct anti-Selective Mannich-type Reactions Catalyzed by 3-Pyrrolidinecarboxylic Acid in the Presence of Potassium Carbonate: Addition of Potassium Carbonate Improves Enantioselectivities

Mannich-type reactions of cyclohexanone and related six-membered-ring ketones with N-p-methoxyphenyl-protected imines of arylaldehydes catalyzed by 3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid in the presence of K₂CO₃ that afford anti-isomers of the Mannich products with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities are reported. Addition of K₂CO₃ improved the enantioselectivities of the reactions catalyzed by 3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid while retaining the anti-selectivity of the reaction. Thus, the use of K₂CO₃ expands the scope of these organocatalytic reactions for providing the products with high enantioselectivities.

Construction of Bispirooxindole Heterocycles via Palladium-Catalyzed Ring-Opening Formal [3 + 2]-Cycloaddition of Spirovinylcyclopropyl Oxindole and 3-Oxindole Derivatives

A palladium-catalyzed ring-opening oxo-formal [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction of novel donor-acceptor spirovinylcyclopropyl oxindole with 3-oxindole is described. The developed protocol provides facile access to oxo-bispirooxindole derivatives in good yields (up to 82% yield) with excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 20:1 dr).

A bifunctional pyrazolone–chromone synthon directed organocatalytic double Michael cascade reaction: forging five stereocenters in structurally diverse hexahydroxanthones

The merging of two or more known natural product-based scaffolds is a powerful and routine strategy to develop bioactive small molecules.

Fluorescent squaramide ligands for cellular imaging and their encapsulation in cubosomes

Two new fluorescent squaramides bearing quinoline (L1) and naphthalene (L2) as fluorogenic fragments were synthesized and investigated as possible cellular imaging probes as free molecules and when loaded in monoolein-based cubosomes.

Bifunctional oxindole-chromone 4C building block directed asymmetric synthesis of bispirocyclic hexahydroxanthones featuring five contiguous stereocenters and two side-by-side oxindoles

Optically active small molecules based on privileged natural product frameworks and rich in three-dimensional complexity are in high demand.

An asymmetric iminium ion catalysis-enabled cascade cycloaddition reaction of chromone-oxindole synthons with enals: construction of a spirooxindole–hexahydroxanthone framework

We report the first asymmetric iminium ion catalysis-enabled cascade cycloaddition reaction of bifunctional chromone-oxindole synthons and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes.

New development in the enantioselective synthesis of spiro compounds

In this review we summarize the latest developments in the enantioselective synthesis of spirocompounds. The most important organometallic and organocatalytic methodologies are highlighted.

Effective and diastereoselective preparation of dispiro[cyclopent-3′-ene]bisoxindoles via novel [3 + 2] annulation of isoindigos and MBH carbonates

Efficient, one-step preparation of highly steric dispiro[cyclopent-3′-ene]bisoxindoles with two all-carbon quaternary spirocenters and three adjacent cycles in excellent yields and diastereoselectivities under mild conditions.

Diastereoselective construction of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-based bispirooxindoles through a three-component [3 + 2] cycloaddition

An efficient and highly diastereoselective three-component one-pot [3 + 2] cycloaddition of isatins, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines and methyleneindolinones has been developed to afford a wide range of pyrrolo[1,2-a]isoquinoline-based bispirooxindoles in up to 91% yields.

Deeper Insight into the Six-Step Domino Reaction of Aldehydes with Malononitrile and Evaluation of Antiviral and Antimalarial Activities of the Obtained Bicyclic Products

The straightforward and efficient synthesis of complex aza‐ and carbobicyclic compounds, which are of importance for medicinal chemistry, is a challenge for modern chemical methodology. An unprecedented metal‐free six‐step domino reaction of aldehydes with malononitrile was presented in our previous study to provide, in a single operation, these bicyclic nitrogen‐containing molecules. Presented here is a deeper investigation of this atom‐economical domino process by extending the scope of aldehydes, performing post‐modifications of domino products, applying bifunctional organocatalysts and comprehensive NMR studies of selected domino products. The thermodynamic aspects of the overall reaction are also demonstrated using DFT methods in conjunction with a semi‐empirical treatment of van der Waals interactions. Furthermore, biological studies of seven highly functionalized and artemisinin‐containing domino products against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 are presented. Remarkably, in vitro tests against HCMV revealed five domino products to be highly active compounds (EC₅₀ 0.071–1.8 μm), outperforming the clinical reference drug ganciclovir (EC₅₀ 2.6 μm). Against P. falciparum 3D7, three of the investigated artemisinin‐derived domino products (EC₅₀ 0.72–1.8 nm) were more potent than the clinical drug chloroquine (EC₅₀ 9.1 nm).

Molecular Hybridization-Guided One-Pot Multicomponent Synthesis of Turmerone Motif-Fused 3,3'-Pyrrolidinyl-dispirooxindoles via a 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reaction

Described herein is the development of a facile and efficient methodology for the synthesis of novel turmerone motif-fused 3,3′-pyrrolidinyl-dispirooxindoles 3–5 via a multicomponent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of dienones 2 with azomethine ylides (thermally generated in situfrom isatins and proline or thioproline or sarcosine). Products bearing four or three consecutive stereocenters consist of two oxindole moieties and a pyrrolidinyl core, including vicinal spiroquaternary stereocenters fused in one ring structure were smoothly obtained in high yields (up to 93% yield) with good diastereoselectivity (up to >20:1). Another valuable application of this method was for the design of new hybrid architectures for biological screening through the adequate fusion of these sub-units of turmerone and 3,3′-pyrrolidinyl-dispirooxindole, generating drug-like molecules.

A DBU-catalyzed Michael–Pinner–isomerization cascade reaction of 3-hydroxyoxindoles with isatylidene malononitriles: access to highly functionalized bispirooxindoles containing a fully substituted dihydrofuran motif

The first DBU-catalyzed Michael/Pinner/isomerization cascade reaction of 3-hydrooxindoles with isatylidene malononitriles was developed.

Efficient construction of biologically important functionalized polycyclic spiro-fused carbocyclicoxindoles via an asymmetric organocatalytic quadruple-cascade reaction

A cascade organocatalysis has been developed for the asymmetric synthesis of a highly functionalized polycyclic spiro-fused carbocyclicoxindoles containing five contiguous stereogenic centers with good diastereoselectivity and high enantioselectivity.