Asymmetric [3 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction of Isatin-Derived MBH Carbonates with 3-Methyleneoxindoles: Enantioselective Synthesis of 3,3′-Cyclopentenyldispirooxindoles Incorporating Two Adjacent Quaternary Spirostereocenters

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.

Precise Synthesis of Diastereomers of Spiro-oxindole Derivatives through Dynamic Covalent Transformation

In this study, [1+2+2] cyclization of tryptamine-derived isocyanides with 3-ylideneoxindoles was systematically investigated. A series of structurally complex spiro-oxindole derivatives were obtained. Characteristic dynamic covalent chemistry was observed and confirmed by experiments and density functional theory calculation. Through the regulation of the solvent, temperature, and time, the precise and stereodivergent synthesis of spiro-oxindoles was achieved.

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition reactions of isatin-derived azomethine ylides for the synthesis of spirooxindole and indole-derived scaffolds: recent developments

The unique therapeutic and biological characteristics of spirooxindole have led to the presentation of numerous reactions for the synthesis of spirooxindoles through 1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of highly reactive isatin-derived azomethine ylides with activated olefins as the main tool for the formation of spirocyclic oxindoles during the last 4 years. Therefore, there is a need to highlight the recent developments in this area, along with the representative synthetic methods and relevant reaction mechanisms from 2018 to 2021. The representative synthetic methodologies were listed in four sections based on the procedure to form the azomethine ylide species including isatins and amino acids, isatin-derived α-(trifluoromethyl)imine, isatins and benzylamines, and from isatin-derived cyclic imine 1,3-dipoles.

DMAP-Catalyzed [4+3] Spiroannulation of Pyrazolone-Derived Morita-Baylis-Hillman Carbonates with N-(o-Chloromethyl)aryl Amides to Forge Spiro[pyrazolone-azepine] Scaffolds

A novel DMAP-catalyzed [4+3] spiroannulation of pyrazolone-derived Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates with N-(o-chloromethyl)aryl amides was developed. This reaction led to the assembly of medicinally relevant pyrazolone and azepine nuclei into a structurally new spirocyclic scaffold, and a diverse array of spiro[pyrazolone-azepine] products were afforded in good to excellent yields (up to 93%) with a wide substrate scope (23 examples) under mild conditions. Moreover, a gram-scale reaction and product transformations were conducted, which further increased the diversity of products.

Organocatalyzed Enantioselective Aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman Reaction of Cyclic Ketimine with α,β-Unsaturated γ-Butyrolactam

The enantioselective aza-MBH reaction is an efficient strategy for constructing novel carbon-carbon bonds, providing access to multitudinous chiral densely functionalized MBH products. However, the enantioselective aza-MBH reaction of cyclic-ketimines that would generate a versatile synthon is still missing and challenging. Herein, we developed a challenging direct organocatalytic asymmetric aza-MBH reaction involving cyclic ketimines attached to a neutral functional group. Moreover, the α,β-unsaturated γ-butyrolactam was utilized as a rare nucleophile alkene in this work. The reactions provide enantiomerically enriched 2-alkenyl-2-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ones, bearing with a tetra-substituted stereogenic center. Moreover, this reaction features high α-selectivities, high enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee), and good yields (up to 80%).

Catalytic asymmetric Michael/cyclization reaction of 3-isothiocyanato thiobutyrolactone: an approach to the construction of a library of bispiro[pyrazolone-thiobutyrolactone] skeletons

Here, we demonstrate the first example of 3-isothiocyanato thiobutyrolactone serving as a useful building block in the Michael/cyclization reaction with alkylidene pyrazolones for the enantioselective construction of optically active structural bispiro[pyrazolone-thiobutyrolactone] skeletons containing three contiguous stereocenters with two spiroquaternary stereocenters. These products were smoothly afforded in up to 90% yield, >20 : 1 dr and >99% ee with chiral squaramide as the catalyst under mild conditions. Notably, this is also the first example of the merger of a spirocyclic pyrazolone scaffold with a spirocyclic thiobutyrolactone scaffold, potentially useful in medicinal chemistry.

Organocatalytic Regio- and Enantioselective [3 + 2]-Annulations of Ninhydrin-Derived Morita-Baylis-Hillman Carbonates with 3-Methyleneoxindoles

A type of Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) carbonates has been developed from ninhydrin. These MBH carbonates have been successfully employed as 3C-synthons in the organocatalytic asymmetric [3 + 2]-annulations of the isatin-derived electron-deficient olefins, affording structurally diverse spirooxindoles in high yield with excellent stereoselectivity. In particular, the regioselectivity of MBH carbonates was controlled by the reaction partner, 3-methyleneoxindoles with carbonyl groups (R = ArCO), affording β-selective products and 3-methyleneoxindoles with ester groups (R = CO₂Me) furnishing γ-selective products. The representative scale-up reactions and transformation of product were examined. The reaction mechanism was expounded by control experiments.

Asymmetric [3 + 2] spiroannulation of pyrazolone-derived Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates with alkynyl ketones: facile access to spiro[cyclopentadiene-pyrazolone] scaffolds

A tertiary amine-catalyzed asymmetric [3 + 2] spiroannulation reaction of pyrazolone-derived Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates with alkynyl ketones was achieved under mild conditions. This protocol offers a facile approach to chiral spiro[cyclopentadiene-pyrazolone]...

Organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of multifunctionalized α-carboline-spirooxindole hybrids that suppressed proliferation in colorectal cancer cells

An asymmetric organocatalytic cascade reaction has been reported for the rapid assembly of multifunctionalized α-carboline-spirooxindole hybrids, which suppressed proliferation in colorectal cancer cells.

[6 + 3] Annulations of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates and dicyanoheptafulvene

A [6 + 3] annulation reaction of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates and dicyanoheptafulvene is accomplished by employing commercially available triphenylphosphine as the Lewis base catalyst. A spectrum of densely functionalized bicyclo[4.3.1]decane architectures are efficiently constructed with exclusive diastereoselectivity and good yield (up to 95%).

Lewis acid-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulations of oxindole based spirocyclic donor-acceptor cyclopropanes with ynamides

[3 + 2] annulations of oxindole based spirocyclic donor-acceptor cyclopropanes and ynamides catalyzed by copper triflate have been developed for the synthesis of biologically important spirocyclopenteneoxindoles. These reactions tolerated a wide scope of substrates and provided the desired products in good to high yields (up to 90%) with up to >40 : 1 diastereoselectivities under mild conditions.

An update on the progress of cycloaddition reactions of 3-methyleneindolinones in the past decade: versatile approaches to spirooxindoles

Cycloaddition reactions are of great interest due to their potential and rapid construction of optically enriched spiro-cyclic products. 3-Methyleneindolinones have been proven to be a valuable precursor in cycloaddition reactions for the construction of diverse 3,3'-spirocyclic oxindoles. Their versatile reactivity has provided a new forum for the development of a variety of building blocks and synthetic compounds, including bioactive molecules. Herein, significant accomplishments in the cycloaddition reactions of 3-methyleneindolinones for the synthesis of spirooxindoles have been summarised and elaborated. The review is outlined according to the type of cycloaddition such as [2 + 1], [2 + 2], [3 + 2], [4 + 2] and [5 + 2] cycloaddition reactions.

A formal intermolecular [4 + 1] cycloaddition reaction of 3-chlorooxindole and o-quinone methides: a facile synthesis of spirocyclic oxindole scaffolds

Herein, we developed an efficient and straightforward method for the rapid synthesis of spirocyclic oxindole scaffolds via the [4 + 1] cyclization reaction of 3-chlorooxindole with o-quinone methides (o-QMs), which were generated under mild conditions. The products could be obtained in excellent yields with numerous types of 3-chlorooxindole. This methodology features mild reaction conditions, high atom-economy and broad substrate scope.

Herein, we developed an efficient and straightforward method for the rapid synthesis of spirocyclic oxindole scaffolds via the [4 + 1] cyclization reaction of 3-chlorooxindole with o-quinone methides (o-QMs), which were generated under mild conditions.

An easy and practical approach to access multifunctional cylcopentadiene- and cyclopentene-spirooxindoles via [3 + 2] annulation

A highly regioselective [3 + 2] annulation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) carbonates of isatin with aurone/thioaurone is developed. Spiroheterocycles such as spirooxindole cyclopentadiene and spirooxindole fused hydroxy cyclopentene derivatives are constructed in one pot by exploring the reactivity of Lewis bases. Combined experimental and density functional theory (DFT) calculations offered an insight into the reaction mechanism.

Design and organocatalytic synthesis of spirooxindole–cyclopentene–isoxazole hybrids as novel MDM2–p53 inhibitors

An organocatalytic 1,6-cycloaddition with exclusive α-regioselectivity to synthesize designed spirooxindole–cyclopentene–isoxazole hybrids as novel MDM2–p53 inhibitors.

Aziridine used as a vinylidene unit in palladium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 1] domino annulation

A series of chromone fused methylenecyclopentanes are efficiently constructed in moderate to good yields by Pd-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 1] annulation, in which aziridine is used as a vinylidene unit by cleavage of two C–N bonds for the first time.

Stereoselective synthesis and applications of spirocyclic oxindoles

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

Insights into Lewis base-catalyzed chemoselective [3 + 2] and [3 + 4] annulation reactions of MBH carbonates

The chemoselectivity of Lewis base-catalyzed [3 + 2] and [3 + 4] annulation reactions of MBH carbonates can be predicted using FMO overlap analysis.

Enantioselective [3+2] annulation of isatin-derived MBH-carbonates and 3-nitroindoles enabled by a bifunctional DMAP-thiourea

Highly enantioselective [3+2] annulation of isatin-derived MBH-carbonates and 3-nitroindoles was achieved by a chiral DMAP-thiourea bifunctional catalyst.

Asymmetric domino 1,6-addition/annulation reaction of 3-cyano-4-alkenyl-2H-chromen-2-ones with isatin-derived MBH carbonates: enantioselective synthesis of 3,3′-cyclopentenylspirooxindoles bearing 2H-chromen-2-ones

An asymmetric domino 1,6-addition/annulation reaction of 3-cyano-4-alkenyl-2H-chromen-2-ones with isatin-derived MBH carbonates was achieved by using a modified cinchona alkaloid as a catalyst.

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.

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.