Amino-Indanol-Catalyzed Asymmetric Michael Additions of Oxindoles to Protected 2-Amino-1-nitroethenes for the Synthesis of 3,3′-Disubstituted Oxindoles Bearing α,β-Diamino Functionality

NHC-catalyzed [3 + 3] cycloaddition of α-bromoenals with nitroketene aminals or nitroketene N,S-acetals: synthesis of nitro-containing dihydropyridin-2-ones

An N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed [3 + 3] cycloaddition of α-bromoenals with nitroketene aminals or nitroketene N,S-acetals has been developed. This methodology provides an efficient strategy for the construction of valuable nitro-containing heterocyclic compounds. This protocol features mild reaction conditions, easily available starting materials, broad substrate scope and easy scalability.

The aminoindanol core as a key scaffold in bifunctional organocatalysts

The 1,2-aminoindanol scaffold has been found to be very efficient, enhancing the enantioselectivity when present in organocatalysts. This may be explained by its ability to induce a bifunctional activation of the substrates involved in the reaction. Thus, it is easy to find hydrogen-bonding organocatalysts ((thio)ureas, squaramides, quinolinium thioamide, etc.) in the literature containing this favored structural core. They have been successfully employed in reactions such as Friedel-Crafts alkylation, Michael addition, Diels-Alder and aza-Henry reactions. However, the 1,2-aminoindanol core incorporated into proline derivatives has been scarcely explored. Herein, the most representative and illustrative examples are compiled and this review will be mainly focused on the cases where the aminoindanol moiety confers bifunctionality to the organocatalysts.

Sequential Au(i)/chiral tertiary amine catalysis: a tandem C–H functionalization of anisoles or a thiophene/asymmetric Michael addition sequence to quaternary oxindoles

We report an unprecedented sequential Au(i)/bifunctional tertiary amine catalysis, which enables a tandem C–H functionalization of weak nucleophiles (anisoles or thiophenes) and asymmetric Michael addition for the highly enantioselective synthesis of quaternary oxindoles.

A Friedel-Crafts alkylation mechanism using an aminoindanol-derived thiourea catalyst

Computational calculations based on experimental results shed light on the mechanistic proposal for a Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction between indole and nitroalkenes, catalysed by a chiral aminoindanol-derived thiourea. In our hypothesis both substrates are simultaneously coordinated to the catalyst in a bifunctional mode. This study elucidates the crucial role played by the hydroxyl group of the catalyst in the success of the reaction. The OH group seems to be involved in the preferential attack of the indole over the nitroalkene, affording the major enantiomer and stabilizing the resulting transition state by a concomitant coordination with the nitroolefin. The results obtained with other catalysts from the same family, and other indoles, are reported and discussed. Theoretical calculations are in agreement with the experimental outcomes and with our previously developed mechanism, displaying the pivotal role played by hydrogen bond interactions.

3-Pyrrolyl-oxindoles as efficient nucleophiles for organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of structurally diverse 3,3′-disubstituted oxindole derivatives

An organocatalytic asymmetric reaction of 3-pyrrolyl-oxindoles to nitroalkenes was developed to afford a range of 3-pyrrolyl-3,3′-disubstituted oxindoles in excellent yields.

Organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition of 3-substituted oxindoles to α,β-unsaturated acyl phosphonates for the synthesis of 3,3′-disubstituted oxindoles with chiral squaramides

The first Michael addition of 3-monosubstituted oxindoles to α,β-unsaturated acyl phosphonates is investigated to give 3,3′-disubstituted oxindoles with excellent results.

One-pot synthesis of (R)-2-acetoxy-1-indanone from 1,2-indanedione combining metal catalyzed hydrogenation and chemoenzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution

A heterogeneously catalyzed one-pot reaction for synthesis of (R)-2-acetoxy-1-indanone is described.

A highly efficient and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of 1,3-indandione ring-fused 3-oxindoles bearing two contiguous quaternary stereocenters via an aldol reaction in aqueous media

The synthesis and antitumor activity evaluation of 1,3-indandione ring-fused 3-oxindoles.

Asymmetric domino synthesis of indanes bearing four contiguous stereocentres catalyzed by sub-mol% loadings of a squaramide in minutes

An efficient diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of polyfunctionalized indanes bearing four contiguous stereogenic centres in generally very short reaction times and sub-mol% squaramide catalyst loadings has been developed. The novel methodology creates a maximum of two stereocentres per bond formation via an organocatalytic Michael-Henry domino reaction.