Enantio- and Diastereoselective Synthesis of Spiro-epoxyoxindoles

Zn-Catalyzed enantioselective allylation and allenylation of isatins by virtue of a proline-derived chiral ligand

An asymmetric allylation and allenylation of isatins with facile organoboron reagents was developed under the catalysis of a Lewis acid. A series of optically pure 3-allyl-3-hydroxyoxindoles and 3-allenyl-3-hydroxyoxindoles can be obtained in excellent yields (up to 99% yield) and high enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee). The possible transition state was supported by DFT calculation and the corresponding mechanism was proposed. A gram scale experiment and further functionalization of these chiral 3-hydroxyoxindoles are established.

Stereoselective synthesis and applications of spirocyclic oxindoles

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

Syntheses and reactivity of spiro-epoxy/aziridine oxindole cores: developments in the past decade

This review highlights various reactions to afford spiro-epoxy/aziridine oxindoles and their potential synthetic transformations.

Practical and regioselective halo-trifluoromethylthiolation of sulfur ylides

A H2O mediated practical and highly regioselective chloro- and bromo-trifluoromethylthiolation of sulfur ylides is reported using a difunctionalization strategy. In the reaction sequence, sulfur ylides presumably react with an electrophilic trifluoromethylthiolating reagent to generate an α-SCF3 substituted sulfonium salt intermediate, which then undergoes a substitution with nucleophilic halogens.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Spirooxindoles via Nucleophilic Epoxidation Promoted by Bifunctional Organocatalysts

Taking into account the postulated reaction mechanism for the organocatalytic epoxidation of electron-poor olefins developed by our laboratory, we have investigated the key factors able to positively influence the H-bond network installed inside the substrate/catalyst/oxidizing agent. With this aim, we have: (i) tested a few catalysts displaying various effects that noticeably differ in terms of steric hindrance and electron demand; (ii) employed α-alkylidene oxindoles decorated with different substituents on the aromatic ring (11a-g), the exocylic double bond (11h-l), and the amide moiety (11m-v). The observed results suggest that the modification of the electron-withdrawing group (EWG) weakly conditions the overall outcomes, and conversely a strong influence is unambiguously ascribable to either the N-protected or N-unprotected lactam framework. Specifically, when the NH free substrates (11m-u) are employed, an inversion of the stereochemical control is observed, while the introduction of a Boc protecting group affords the desired product 12v in excellent enantioselectivity (97:3 er).

Synthesis of CF3-containing spiro-epoxyoxindoles via the Corey–Chaykovsky reaction of N-alkyl isatins with Ph2S+CH2CF3OTf−

CF₃-containing spiro-epoxyoxindoles were successfully prepared via Corey–Chaykovsky reaction of N-alkyl isatins with the ylide generated from Ph₂S⁺CH₂CF₃OTf⁻ with almost exclusive diastereoselectivity.

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of spirooxindoles: recent developments

The past four years have witnessed significant developments in the field of the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of spirooxindoles, and this feature article outlines the recent progress in this area, including the contributions of our group. This article is divided into sections according to the size and type of the generated spiro-ring fused at the C3-position of the oxindole core.

Asymmetric Darzens Reaction of Isatins with Diazoacetamides Catalyzed by Chiral BINOL-Titanium Complex

An efficient catalytic asymmetric Darzens reaction of N-protected isatins with diazoacetamides using a chiral BINOL/Ti(OⁱPr)₄ complex as the catalyst has been developed. This reaction is a straightforward method for the synthesis of spiro-epoxyoxindoles in 40-95% yields, up to >20:1 dr and up to >99% ee. A gram-scale reaction was also achieved in 95% yield with excellent stereoselectivity and enantioselectivity (>20:1 dr, >99% ee).

One-pot synthesis of α,β-epoxy ketones through domino reaction between alkenes and aldehydes catalyzed by proline based chiral organocatalysts

A proline based metal free organocatalysts developed by new approach for the synthesis of epoxide derivatives through domino reaction. This domino reaction allows the direct access to epoxide from various alkene and aldehyde through C–H functionalization and C–C/C–O bond formation. The catalytic efficiencies of organocatalysts were also determined by domino reaction with very good yield (up to 95 %) and ee's (up to 99 %).

Synthesis of Chiral Spiro-Aziridine Oxindoles via Aza-Corey-Chaykovsky Reaction of Isatin Derived N-tert-Butanesulfinyl Ketimines

A general and direct strategy for the synthesis of chiral spiro-aziridine oxindoles has been developed via an aza-Corey-Chaykovsky reaction of isatin-derived N-tert-butanesulfinyl ketimines with excellent selectivity (dr = 98:2 to >99:1). The method is explored for the synthesis of chiral 3-substituted spiro-aziridine oxindoles with high (2S,3S)-selectivity over (2S,3R).

Base-catalyzed controllable reaction of 3-ylideneoxindoles with O-Boc hydroxycarbamates for the synthesis of amidoacrylates and spiroaziridine oxindoles

A base-catalyzed divergent reaction of 3-ylideneoxindoles and O-Boc hydroxycarbamates has been developed to provide various amidoacrylates and spiroaziridine oxindoles with high yields.