Chiral Brønsted Base Activation of Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes toward Diastereo- and Enantioselective [3 + 2] Cycloaddition with Isatin-Derived Ketimines

Organocatalyzed diastereo- and enantioselective [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of donor-acceptor (D-A) cyclopropanes with isatin-derived ketimines are presented. Different from well-developed Lewis acid activation protocols which promote the reactivity of D-A cyclopropanes through coordinating to the acceptor group, in this reaction, dicyanocyclopropylmethyl ketones can be activated through nucleophilic activation of the donor group by using dihydroquinine-derived squaramide as Brønsted base catalyst. The reaction affords functionalized spiro[oxindole-3,2'-pyrrolidines] with two nonadjacent tetra- and tri-substituted stereocenters in 83-99% yields, moderate to excellent diastereoselectivities (up to >20:1 diastereomeric ratio (dr)), and excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% enantiomeric excess (ee)) under mild conditions.

Organocatalytic diastereo- and atropo-selective construction of eight-membered bridged (hetero)biaryls via asymmetric intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition

An unprecedented and straightforward route for the asymmetric construction of privileged atroposelective bridged (hetero)biaryl eight-membered scaffolds has been accomplished through chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition of innovative (hetero)biaryl aldehydes with 3-aminooxindole hydrochlorides. A class of eight-membered bridged (hetero)biaryl lactones fused to spiro[pyrrolidine-oxindole] derivatives, possessing both chiral C-C/C-N axes and multiple contiguous stereocenters, were obtained in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities and diastereoselectivities in one step through this direct strategy. In addition, the good scalability and derivatization of the title compounds demonstrated their synthetic utility.

Catalytic asymmetric construction of dispirotriheterocyclic structures through [3+2] cycloadditions of 4-amino pyrazolone-based azomethine ylides

An efficient and convenient catalytic asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition of 4-amino pyrazolone-based azomethine ylides was developed, which delivers the multi-pharmacophore-containing dispirotriheterocyclic scaffolds with excellent stereoselectivities.

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.

Construction of a spiro[pyrazolone-4,2'-pyridoindole] scaffold via a [3 + 3] cycloaddition of 2-indolylmethanol with a 4-aminopyrazolone-derived azomethine ylide

This work reports a facile [3 + 3] cycloaddition sequence of two important heterocyclic pharmacophores, pyrazolone and 2-indolylmethanol, integrated into a polycyclic hybrid scaffold. In this process, an in situ generated azomethine ylide obtained from 4-aminopyrazolone and benzaldehyde reacts with 2-indolylmethanols to offer spiro[pyrazolone-pyridoindole] scaffolds in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities. Remarkably, the reaction is carried out at room temperature without any catalyst and base.

Diastereoselective synthesis of indolenine-based spiro[pyrazolone-4,2'-pyrrolidine] scaffolds via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of 4-aminopyrazolones, aldehydes, and indolenines

In this work, we report a one-pot [3 + 2] cycloaddition of 4-aminopyrazolones, indolenines, and aldehydes. The reaction utilized in situ generated azomethine ylides as 1,3-dipoles and 2-alkenylindolenines as dipolarophiles affording indolenine-derived spiro[pyrazolone-4,2'-pyrrolidine] scaffolds with four contiguous stereocenters with excellent yields (up to 95%) and diastereoselectivities (up to >20 : 1 dr) under simple conditions. The in situ generation of azomethine ylides and dipolarophiles in one pot is a unique feature of this process.

3-Amino Oxindole Schiff Base as Synthon for Enantioselective Preparation of Spiro[oxindol-3,2'-pyrrol] from a Michael/Cyclization Reaction Catalyzed by a Bifunctional Cinchona

A new and crucial synthon of 3-((diphenylmethylene)-amino)-oxindole was designed and synthesized, for which an organocatalytic and enantioselective Michael/cyclization reaction with a terminal vinyl ketone catalyzed by a cinchona base was disclosed. A wide variety (28 examples) of almost all new chiral spiro[oxindol-3,2'-pyrrols] were prepared in excellent yields (up to 99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (95-99% ee), of which a typical chiral spiro product was further reduced to chiral spiro[oxindole-3,2'-pyrrolidine].

Asymmetric sequential annulation/aldol process of 4-isothiocyanato pyrazolones and allenones: access to novel spiro[pyrrole-pyrazolones] and spiro[thiopyranopyrrole-pyrazolones]

A catalytic asymmetric sequential annulation/aldol reaction of 4-isothiocyanato pyrazolones and allenyl ketones has been developed, which furnished a series of spiro[pyrrole-pyrazolone] heterocycles and structurally novel spiro[thiopyranopyrrole-pyrazolone] derivatives in good yields with high to excellent enantioselectivities. Notably, parallel resolution of racemic spiro[pyrrole-pyrazolones] was achieved by a catalyst-controlled asymmetric intramolecular vinylogous aldol process. Structure diversity of the product was further enhanced by ready transformations.

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of 3-aminooxindoles to access chiral homoallylic aminooxindoles

An organometal catalytic conversion of 3-aminooxindoles for the diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of homoallylic aminooxindoles has been described. The asymmetric allylic alkylation of 3-aminooxindoles with allyl carboxylates proceeded smoothly to afford a series of chiral 3-allyl-3-aminooxindoles. This work offers an alternative route to build these scaffolds. The application of this protocol is also highlighted by a significant conversion of products to the potential applicable spiro[indoline-3,2'-pyrrolidin]-2-one derivatives.

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.

Enantioselective [3 + 2] annulation of 4-isothiocyanato pyrazolones and alkynyl ketones under organocatalysis

An asymmetric [3 + 2] annulation reaction of 4-isothiocyanato pyrazolones with alkynyl ketones is developed, providing expeditious access to spiro[pyrroline–pyrazolones].

Enantioselective construction of dispirotriheterocycles featuring a 4-aminopyrazolone motif through a cascade Michael/cyclization process

A highly asymmetric approach to multicyclic dispiro [pyrazolone-pyrrolidinethione-oxindole] core structures bearing three contiguous stereogenic centers through a cascade Michael addition/cyclization reaction of 4-isothiocyanato pyrazolones with 3-ylideneoxindoles was developed.

A One-Pot Ring-Opening/Ring-Closure Sequence for the Synthesis of Polycyclic Spirooxindoles

One-pot ring-opening/ring-closure process of combining methyleneindolinone with 3-aminooxindole has been developed in this work. Novel polycyclic spirooxindoles were efficiently assembled under mild conditions in high yields (up to 95 %) with moderate to good diastereoselectivities (up to >95:5 d.r.) through simple filtration.

A Facile One-Pot Construction of Succinimide-Fused Spiro[Pyrrolidine-2,3'-Oxindoles] via 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Involving 3-Amino Oxindoles and Maleimides

Increasing interests have been invested in the development of synthetic strategies toward the construction of spiro[pyrrolidine-2,3'-oxindole], which is the core structural skeleton in some compounds with diverse biological activities. In this work, an efficient diastereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides generated in situ from 3-amino oxindoles and aldehydes with maleimides has been described. The protocol provides a facile and efficient access to structurally diverse succinimide-fused spiro[pyrrolidine-2,3'-oxindole] compounds in good to high yields (up to 93%) with moderate to excellent diastereoselectivities (up to >95:5). The relative stereochemistry of cycloaddition products has been assigned by X-ray diffraction analysis.

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.

C6′ steric bulk of cinchona alkaloid enables an enantioselective Michael addition/annulation sequence toward pyranopyrazoles

A C6′ silyloxyl quinine catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition/annulation cascade between pyrazolones and enynones was developed.

Catalytic asymmetric construction of spiropyrrolidines via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides

In this review, recent progress on the catalytic enantioselective synthesis of chiral spiropyrrolidine derivatives via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides has been discussed.

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.

Organocatalytic [3 + 2] cycloaddition of oxindole-based azomethine ylides with 3-nitrochromenes: a facile approach to enantioenriched polycyclic spirooxindole-chromane adducts

An organocatalytic asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloaddition of oxindole-based azomethine ylides with 3-nitro-2H-chromenes is reported, delivering densely functionalized polycyclic spirooxindole-chromane adducts.

Cu(ii)/DM-Segphos catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of benzoisothiazole-2,2-dioxide-3-ylidenes and azomethine ylides

Cu(OTf)₂/DM-Segphos catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of benzoisothiazole-2,2-dioxide-3-ylidenes and azomethine ylides was studied. The spiropyrrolidinyl-benzoisothiazolines were obtained in high yields with up to >99 : 1 dr and 99% ee.

Synthesis of 2,3′-spirobi[indolin]-2-ones enabled by a tandem nucleophilic benzylation/C(sp2)–N cross-coupling reaction sequence

This study provides an efficient strategy for the construction of spiro[pyrrolidin-3,2′-oxindoles] and represents a new perspective for the synthesis of spirocyclic oxindoles.

Asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition of 3-amino oxindole-based azomethine ylides with α,β-ynones: a straightforward approach to spirooxindoles incorporating 2,5-dihydropyrroles and pyrroles

An organocatalytic asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition to α,β-ynones is reported.

An enantioselective synthesis of spiro-oxindole-based 3,4-dihydropyrroles via a Michael/cyclization cascade of 3-aminooxindoles with 2-enoylpyridines

This work provides a highly stereoselective route to access spiro[pyrrolidin-3,2′-oxindoles] and represents a new perspective for the synthesis of spirocyclic oxindoles.

Synthesis of first ever 4-quinolone-3-carboxylic acid-appended spirooxindole-pyrrolidine derivatives and their biological applications

A series of 4-quinolone-3-carboxylic acid-containing spirooxindole-pyrrolidine derivatives was synthesized via multicomponent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of azomethine ylides with new (E)-4-oxo-6-(3-phenyl-acryloyl)-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acids in good yields with high regioselectivity. The cycloadducts were characterized by analytical and spectral data including [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], 2D NMR and mass spectroscopy. The structure of one of the compounds (8a) was investigated theoretically by computational techniques. DFT studies support the proposed mechanism for this cycloaddition reaction. Furthermore, antibacterial activities of the new compounds were evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Compounds 8f, 8m and 8p showed potent inhibition activities against selected bacteria. The in vitro cytotoxicity of spirooxindole derivatives (8a-r) was evaluated against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Among the various compounds tested, compound 8f [Formula: see text] showed significant cytotoxic activity compared to the standard drug doxorubicin [Formula: see text].

Asymmetric chlorination of 4-substituted pyrazolones catalyzed by natural cinchona alkaloid

A natural quinidine catalyzed asymmetric chlorination of 4-substituted pyrazolones was revealed in high yield and excellent enantioselectivity.