Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 3,3′-Pyrrolidinyl-bispirooxindoles via Michael/N-Hemiketalization Cascade Reaction between 3-Aminooxindoles and Isatin-Derived β,γ-Unsaturated α-Keto Esters

Organocatalytic enantioselective assembly of dispiro-bisoxindoles with vicinal stereocenters

Notwithstanding the rapid development achieved in enantioselective transformations, accessing contiguous quaternary and tertiary stereocenters ubiquitous in natural products and biologically active compounds has been an important and challenging task for synthetic chemists in modern organic chemistry. Drawing inspiration from the huge significance of spirooxindoles featuring a unique spatial structure and incredible medicinal activities, the search for these fascinating compounds in nature and developing new synthetic routes for installing multiple stereocenters remain core areas for synthetic chemists. This mini-review article demonstrates a transitory overview of the organocatalytic enantioselective strategies developed for assembling broad-spectrum dispiro-bisoxindole scaffolds comprising vicinal quaternary and tertiary stereocenters. While addressing the notable advancement accomplished in this intriguing field, we have also discussed the drawbacks and challenges associated with the reaction findings to support more research.

Umpolung Strategy for the One-Pot Synthesis of Highly Steric Bispirooxindoles via the l-Amino Acid Ester-Promoted In Situ Reduction/Nucleophilic Addition/Cyclization Cascade Reaction

On the basis of a novel umpolung strategy, an efficient l-amino acid ester-mediated in situ reduction of 2-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)malononitrile and sequential nucleophilic addition/cyclization cascade reaction is reported. Various densely substituted cyclopentene bispirooxindoles and dihydrofuran bispirooxindoles with two quaternary spirocenters were constructed in high yields (≤93%) with excellent diastereoselectivities (>20:1 dr). The method has advantages of readily available starting materials, mild reaction conditions, a one-pot process, a metal-free biomimetic reducing agent, a wide substrate scope, and operational simplicity (single filtration without column chromatography).

Asymmetric Tandem Michael Addition/Interrupted Nef Reactions of Nitromethane with Oxindole-Derived Alkenes: Enantioselective Synthesis of Spiro-polycyclic Oxindoles

Chiral spiro-polycyclic oxindoles are valuable heterocyclic ring systems that are widely distributed in natural alkaloids and biologically active compounds. Herein, we reported an asymmetric tandem Michael addition/interrupted Nef reaction of nitromethane with oxindole-derived alkenes catalyzed by a chiral 2-aminobenzimidazole bifunctional organocatalyst. A series of novel enantiomerically enriched spiro-polycyclic oxindole derivatives bearing an oxime group were synthesized in moderate to excellent isolated yields (up to 99%) with an excellent level of enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). Furthermore, the antiproliferation activity of the resulting oxindoles derivatives were evaluated, and compound 2d demonstrated promising anticancer properties against HCT116 (IC50 = 14.08 μM) and HT29 (IC50 = 15.46 μM) cell lines.

Enantioselective Benzylation and Allylation of a Crucial Synthon of 3-Amino Oxindole Schiff Base Promoted by a Cinchonidinium Phase Transfer Catalyst to Enable the Effective Preparation of Chiral Quaternary 3-Amino Oxindoles

3-Amino oxindole Schiff base has been used as an efficient and crucial synthon for highly enantioselective benzylation and allylation with benzyl bromides and allyl bromides in the presence of a 1,3-bis[O(9)-allylcinchonidinium-N-methyl]-2-fluorobenzene dibromide phase transfer catalyst under mild reaction conditions. A broad series of chiral quaternary 3-amino oxindoles were smoothly obtained in good to excellent yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee) with broad substrate generality. A typical scale-up preparation and subsequent Ullman coupling reaction were also smoothly performed, and a special and important chiral spirooxindole benzofuzed pyrrol scaffold with potential pharmaceutical and organocatalytic activities was successfully obtained.

Regioselective synthesis of enantiopure 1,2- and 1,3-dispirooxindoles along with a DFT study

In the present study, a library of important enantiopure dispirooxindole [indolizidine, pyrrolizidine, and pyrrolidine] derivatives with three or four contiguous and two quaternary stereogenic centers using different amino acids (pipecolic acid, sarcosine, proline and hydroxyproline) were synthesized in high yields (up to 96%) through a regio- and diastereoselective (up to 99 : 1) multicomponent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition strategy. Based on the results, the alteration of amino acids led to a change in the regioselectivity and unusual regioisomers (pyrrolizidine versus indolizidine/pyrrolidine) were obtained to construct a novel enantiopure 1,3-dispirooxindole skeleton. The stereochemical outcome of the cycloaddition was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and the self-disproportionation of enantiomers (SDE) test confirmed the enantiomeric purity of the desired products. The mechanism and differences in the regioselectivity of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions between the stable azomethane ylides obtained from ninhydrin, pipecolinic acid, and proline with (E)-2-oxoindolin-3-ylideneacetyl sultam were theoretically studied through DFT calculations at the M06-2X/6-31G(d,p) level in methanol.

Enantioselective Construction of Vicinal Quaternary-Tetrasubstituted Carbon Stereocenters by Copper-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Propargylic Substitution

Enantioselective construction of vicinal tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters is a formidable challenge in organic synthesis. A copper-catalyzed asymmetric decarboxylative propargylic substitution with 3-amino oxindoles as trisubstituted carbon nucleophiles and propargylic cyclic carbonates as tertiary carbon electrophiles was developed. A range of 3-amino-3,3'-disubstituted oxindoles bearing vicinal quaternary-tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters were obtained in high yields and good to excellent stereoselectivities (up to 98% yield, >20:1 dr, and 98.5:1.5 er).

Asymmetric synthesis of isoxazole and trifluoromethyl-containing 3,2'-pyrrolidinyl dispirooxindoles via squaramide-catalysed [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions

A highly efficient squaramide-catalysed asymmetric domino Michael/Mannich [3 + 2] cycloaddition of 3-methyl-4-nitro-5-isatylidenyl-isoxazoles and N-2,2,2-trifluoroethylisatin ketimines was developed. A new class of complex and diverse-skeleton isoxazole and trifluoromethyl-containing 3,2'-pyrrolidinyl dispirooxindoles bearing four contiguous stereogenic centers including two adjacent spiro quaternary stereocentres were obtained in good to excellent yields (up to 99%) with excellent diastereoselectivities (>20 : 1 dr, in all cases) and enantioselectivities (up to 96% ee). Moreover, the potential utilities of the protocol have been demonstrated by gram-scale synthesis and further transformation experiments.

Regio- and stereoselective synthesis and evaluation of densely functionalized bispiro[oxindole-isoxazole-indandione] hybrids as anticancer agents

This is the combination of three key pharmacophores through bispiro quaternary carbon atoms and evaluation of their anticancer activity.

Synthesis of functionalized 3,2′-pyrrolidinyl spirooxindoles via domino 1,6-addition/annulation reactions of para-quinone methides and 3-chlorooxindoles

A highly efficient diastereoselective [4 + 1] cycloaddition of ortho-tosylaminophenyl-substituted p-QMs with 3-chlorooxindoles has been developed to afford 3,2′-pyrrolidinyl spirooxindoles.

Stereoselective synthesis and applications of spirocyclic oxindoles

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

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Michael Addition between 3-(3-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)Oxindole and β-Nitrostyrene for the Preparation of Chiral Disubstituted Oxindoles

A new enantioselective Michael addition between 3-(3-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)oxindole, a new synthon generated from isatin N,N'-cyclic azomethine imine 1,3-dipole, and β-nitrostyrene has been disclosed. A series of chiral 3-(3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl) disubstituted oxindoles were obtained in excellent results (up to 97% yield, up to 94% ee) with moderate to good diastereoselectivities (up to 4.3:1 dr).

Stereocontrolled [3+2] Cycloaddition of Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes to Iminooxindoles: Access to Spiro[oxindole-3,2'-pyrrolidines]

A novel stereocontrolled assembly of spiro[oxindole-3,2'-pyrrolidines] via [3+2]-cycloaddition of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes to electron-poor ketimines, iminooxindoles, was developed. The method allows for efficient employment of common readily available donor-acceptor cyclopropanes, functionalized with ester, keto, nitro, cyano etc. groups, and N-unprotected iminooxindoles. The stereospecificity of the initial S_N2-like imine attack on a cyclopropane molecule together with a high diastereoselectivity of further C-C bond formation facilitate a rapid access to spiro[oxindole-3,2'-pyrrolidines] in their optically active forms. Preliminary in vitro testing of the synthesized compounds against LNCaP (p53+) and PC-3 (p53-) cells revealed good antiproliferative activities and p53-selectivity indices for several compounds that are intriguing in terms of their further investigation as inhibitors of MDM2-p53 interaction.

Diastereodivergent construction of bispiro[oxindole-bi-pyrrolidine]s with four consecutive stereocentersviaasymmetric [3 + 2] cycloaddition of 2,3-dioxopyrrolidines using identical catalysts

The diastereodivergent asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloaddition ofN-2,2,2-trifluoroethylisatin ketimines with the identical catalysts was firstly performed, which leads to two diastereomeric bispiro[oxindole-bi-pyrrolidine]s.

Creation of bispiro[pyrazolone-3,3′-oxindoles] via a phosphine-catalyzed enantioselective [3 + 2] annulation of the Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates with pyrazoloneyldiene oxindoles

A [3 + 2] annulation between the Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) carbonates and pyrazoloneyldiene oxindoles catalyzed by (S)-SITCP has been developed.