Green Protocols for the Synthesis of 3,3’-spirooxindoles – 2016- mid 2019

C3-Spirooxindoles: Divergent chemical synthesis and bioactivities (2018-2023)

This scientific review documents the recent progress of C3-spirooxindoles chemistry (synthesis and reaction mechanism) and their bioactivities, focusing on the promising results as well as highlighting the biological mechanism via the reported molecular docking findings of the most bioactive derivatives. C3-Spirooxindoles are attractive bioactive agents and have been found in a variety of natural compounds, including alkaloids. They are widely investigated in the field of medicinal chemistry and play a key role in medication development, such as antivirals, anticancer agents, antimicrobials, etc. Regarding organic synthesis, several traditional and advanced strategies have been reported, particularly those that started with isatin derivatives.

Synthesis of tryptanthrin appended dispiropyrrolidine oxindoles and their antibacterial evaluation

The synthesis of sixteen tryptanthrin appended dispiropyrrolidine oxindoles, employing [3 + 2] cycloaddition of tryptanthrin-derived azomethine ylides with isatilidenes, and their detailed antibacterial evaluation is described. The in vitro antibacterial activities of the compounds were evaluated against ESKAPE pathogens and clinically relevant drug-resistant MRSA/VRSA strains, from which the bromo-substituted dispiropyrrolidine oxindole 5b (MIC = 0.125 μg mL-1) was found to be a potent molecule against S. aureus ATCC 29213 with a good selectivity index.

Thermodynamic control synthesis of spiro[oxindole-3,3'-pyrrolines] via 1,4-dipolar cycloaddition utilizing imidazo[1,5-a]quinoline

A series of novel 2-(quinolin-2-yl)-spiro[oxindole-3,3'-pyrrolines] were synthesized by one-pot three-component reaction involving dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, 1-phenylimidazo[1,5-a]quinoline and N-alkylisatins in chloroform at ∼60 °C for 24 h. Structures of these new spiro derivatives were deduced from HRMS and NMR spectral data. A plausible mechanism for the observed thermodynamic control pathway is presented herewith. Interestingly, the spiro adduct, derived from 5-chloro-1-methylisatin, exhibited excellent antiproliferative activity on MCF7, A549 and Hela human cell lines (IC₅₀ ≃ 7 μM).

Substrate-Controlled Regioselectivity Switchable [3 + 2] Annulations To Access Spirooxindole Skeletons

The additive-free [3 + 2] annulation from isatins, amino acids with 2-styrylbenzoxazoles, was described, providing a series of functional and structurally complex 3,3'-pyrrolidinyl-spirooxindole derivatives containing four contiguous and two quaternary stereogenic centers in high yields (up to 95%) and excellent diastereoselectivities (up to >25:1 dr). Interestingly, the reaction exhibits switchable regioselectivity depending on the substrate of amino acids. With proline or thioproline as the substrate, the reaction afforded α-regioselective spirooxindole skeletons. In contrast, when piperidine acid is the substrate, the reaction provided γ-regioselective spirooxindole skeletons.

Novel cellulose supported 1,2-bis(4-aminophenylthio)ethane Ni(ii) complex (NiII(BAPTE)(NO3)2-Cell) as an efficient nanocatalyst for the synthesis of spirooxindole derivatives

Cellulose was used as a support for immobilizing a Ni(ii) complex of 1,2-bis(4-aminophenylthio)ethane to prepare Ni^II(BAPTE)(NO₃)₂-Cell as a new organo–inorganic hybrid nanocatalyst. The properties of the prepared catalyst were studied using various analyses such as FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TGA and EDX. Ni^II(BAPTE)(NO₃)₂-Cell was employed as a reusable catalyst for the synthesis of spirooxindole derivatives via a three-component condensation of isatin, malononitrile and reactive methylene compounds. The nanocatalyst can be readily and quickly separated from the reaction mixture and can be reused for at least eight successive reaction cycles without a significant reduction in efficiency. The facile accessibility to the starting materials, use of green solvents and conducting the reactions in eco-friendly and cost-effective conditions have made this protocol a suitable method for preparing spirooxindole derivatives.

Ni^II(BAPTE)(NO₃)₂-Cell as a novel cellulose supported catalyst has been prepared and characterized by various techniques including FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TGA and EDX.

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.

Transition metal-catalyzed synthesis of spirooxindoles

Spirooxindole is a principal bioactive agent and is observed in several natural products including alkaloids. They are broadly studied in the pharmaceutical field and have a significant role in the evolution of drugs such as anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-microbial etc. In organic chemistry, an indispensable role is presented by transition metal catalysts. An effective synthetic perspective to spirooxindoles is the use of transition metals as the catalyst. This review discusses the synthesis of spirooxindoles catalyzed by transition metals and covers literature up to 2020.

Strategies and methodologies for the construction of spiro-γ-lactams: an update

This review gives an insight into the most recent synthetic methodologies towards spiro-γ-lactams, a class of compounds that are present in a wide range of synthetic bioactive and naturally occurring molecules.

Bio-Catalysis in Multicomponent Reactions

Enzyme catalysis is a very active research area in organic chemistry, because biocatalysts are compatible with and can be adjusted to many reaction conditions, as well as substrates. Their integration in multicomponent reactions (MCRs) allows for simple protocols to be implemented in the diversity-oriented synthesis of complex molecules in chemo-, regio-, stereoselective or even specific modes without the need for the protection/deprotection of functional groups. The application of bio-catalysis in MCRs is therefore a welcome and logical development and is emerging as a unique tool in drug development and discovery, as well as in combinatorial chemistry and related areas of research.