Organocatalytic Asymmetric α‐Amination of Unprotected 3‐Aryl and 3‐Aliphatic Substituted Oxindoles using Di‐tert‐butyl Azodicarboxylate

The bifunctional quinine‐derived thiourea catalyst 14 was found to catalyze the direct amination of unprotected 3‐aryl and aliphatic substituted oxindoles with di‐tert‐butyl azodicarboxylate (DBAD) to construct a tetrasubstituted stereogenic carbon center at the C‐3 position of oxindoles in good to excellent yield and enantioselectivity.     

The Use of Porous Palladium(II)‐polyimine in Cooperatively‐ catalyzed Highly Enantioselective Cascade Transformations

Porous organic polymers have prospects as functional substrates for catalysis, with quite different molecular properties from inorganic substrates. Here we disclose for the first time that porous palladium(II)‐polyimines are excellent catalysts for cooperatively catalyzed and enantioselective cascade reactions. In synergy with a chiral amine co‐catalyst, polysubstituted cyclopentenes and spirocyclic oxindoles, including the all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter, were synthesized in high yields. High diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities were achieved for these dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DYKAT) of enals with propargylic nucleophiles.

     

Regioselective Friedel–Crafts Reaction of Electron‐Rich Benzenoid Arenes and Spiroepoxyoxindole at the Spiro‐Centre: Efficient Synthesis of Benzofuroindolines and 2H‐ Spiro[benzofuran]‐3,3′‐oxindoles

Metal triflate‐catalysed intermolecular Friedel–Crafts reactions involving electron‐rich benzenoid arenes and spiroepoxyoxindoles at the spiro‐centre have been developed for the exclusive regioselective synthesis of 3‐aryl‐(3‐hydroxymethyl)oxindoles with an all‐carbon quaternary centre. Selective ring opening of spiroepoxyoxindoles with phenols provided a direct access to 3‐(hydroxymethyl)‐3‐(2‐hydroxyaryl)oxindoles. We have utilized this methodology successfully as the key step for the synthesis of benzofuroindolines and 2H‐spiro[benzofuran]‐3,3′‐oxindoles.

     

Facile Creation of 3‐Indolyl‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxindoles by an Organocatalytic Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts Reaction of Indoles with Isatins

The first direct enantioselective Friedel–Crafts reaction of indoles with isatins has been developed. The process is catalyzed by simple cupreine under mild reaction conditions and affords synthetically and biologically interesting, chiral 3‐indolyl‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxindoles in good yields (68–97%) and with high enantioselectivities (76–91%).     

Aza‐Henry Reaction of Isatin Ketimines with Methyl 4‐Nitrobutyrate en Route to Spiro[piperidine‐3,3′‐oxindoles]

A new enantioselective route to spiro[piperidine‐3,3′‐oxindoles] from isatin ketimines is described. The aza‐Henry reaction of N‐Boc‐isatin ketimines with methyl 4‐nitrobutyrate in the presence of a Ph₂BOX‐CuBr₂ complex provided the corresponding nitro amino esters with good diastereoselectivity and excellent enantioselectivity (up to >99% ee). The aza‐Henry adducts were transformed into spiro[piperidine‐3,3′‐oxindoles] after reduction of the nitro group to oxime, and cleavage of the N‐Boc group and lactamisation.

     

Enantioselective Construction of Cyclic Enaminone‐Based 3‐Substituted 3‐Amino‐2‐oxindole Scaffolds via Catalytic Asymmetric Additions of Isatin‐Derived Imines

The first catalytic asymmetric construction of the cyclic enaminone‐based 3‐substituted 3‐amino‐2‐oxindole scaffold with potential bioactivity has been developed via chiral phosphoric acid‐catalyzed enantioselective addition reactions of cyclic enaminones to isatin‐derived imines, which afforded a series of cyclic enaminone‐based 3‐substituted 3‐amino‐2‐oxindoles in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% yield, 97% ee). The investigation of the reaction mechanism suggested that it was facilitated by a dual hydrogen‐bonding activation mode between the two substrates and the chiral phosphoric acid. Besides, this method could be utilized for a large‐scale synthesis with maintained enantioselectivity. This approach will not only offer a useful method for enantioselective construction of the cyclic enaminone‐based 3‐substituted 3‐amino‐2‐oxindole scaffold, but also enrich the research on catalytic asymmetric addition reactions of isatin‐derived imines by using electron‐rich olefins as nucleophiles. More importantly, a preliminary evaluation on the cytotoxicity of some selected products revealed that two of the enantio‐pure compounds exhibited moderate to strong cytotoxicity to A549, 786‐0, ECA109 and BT474 cancer cell lines.

     

3‐Chlorooxindoles: Versatile Starting Materials for Asymmetric Organocatalytic Synthesis of Spirooxindoles

3‐Chlorooxoindoles have emerged as versatile precursors in the synthesis of spirocyclopropyl oxindoles. High enantio‐ and diastereoselectivity was attained under conditions of both iminium/enamine and H‐bonding catalysis.     

Direct Regio‐, Diastereo‐, and Enantioselective Vinylogous Michael Addition of Prochiral 3‐Alkylideneoxindoles to Nitroolefins

3‐Alkylidene‐2‐oxindoles represent a simple, yet enabling subfamily of indole alkaloids, and their ability to react as electron‐poor acceptors has largely been investigated. In contrast, their utility as pronucleophilic synthons remains elusive. In this context, the present article describes the successful execution of the direct, organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition of prochiral 3‐alkylideneoxindoles to nitroolefins. A variety of γ‐substituted alkylideneoxindoles carrying two stereocenters at both the γ‐ and δ‐carbon sites was assembled with excellent stereoselectivity and without olefin isomerization or stereochemical ablation.     

Improved Radical Approach to N‐Unsubstituted Indol‐2‐one and Dihydro‐2‐quinolinone Compounds Bearing Spirocyclic Cyclohexanone/Cyclohexadienone Rings

N‐Unsubstituted indol‐2‐one and 3,4‐dihydro‐2‐quinolinone compounds bearing spirocyclic cyclohexanone/cyclohexadienone rings can be accessed through a novel, improved method entailing the key radical spirocyclization of easily accessible N‐methoxymethyl (MOM)‐protected 2‐iodoanilides derived from 4‐azidobenzoic and 2‐(4‐azidophenyl)acetic acid.     

Organocatalysis in Enantioselective α‐Functionalization of 2‐Cyanoacetates

Recent progress in asymmetric organocatalysis has led to the development of several asymmetric transformations that employ various substrates. Among these, cyanoacetates have emerged as excellent nucleophiles in conjugate addition, alkylation, Mannich and α‐heterofunctionalization reactions. In this review we discuss the enantioselective functionalization of 2‐cyanoacetates through organocatalytic reactions.

     

Amino Acid‐Derived Phosphonium Salts‐Catalyzed Michael Addition of 3‐Substituted Oxindoles

A new type of phosphonium phase‐transfer catalyst prepared from easily available chiral amino acids was evaluated in a model reaction between oxindole and methyl vinyl ketone, and the catalyst derived from isoleucine was found to be the best. Michael additions of 3‐monosubstituted oxindoles to methyl vinyl ketone, acrolein or propargyl aldehyde proceeded smoothly to afford 3,3‐disubstituted oxindoles in good to excellent yields with moderate to excellent ees.

     

Asymmetric Synthesis of 2′‐Trifluoromethylated Spiro‐pyrrolidine‐3,3′‐oxindoles via Squaramide‐Catalyzed Umpolung and 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition

The introduction of a trifluoromethyl group into the 2′‐position of spiro‐pyrrolidine‐3,3′‐oxindoles is described. By using 1 mol% of a quinine‐derived squaramide as catalyst, the 2,2,2‐trfluoroethylamine (CF₃CH₂NH₂)‐derived ketimine is transformed initially into a trifluoromethylimine through an umpolung reaction. The subsequent 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition gives the pharmaceutical important target compounds in excellent yields, enantioselectivities and diastereoselectivies.

     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Construction of Spirooxindoles by Arylative Cyclization of 3‐(γ,δ‐Disubstituted)allylidene‐2‐Oxindoles

The palladium‐catalyzed, one‐pot arylative cyclization of 3‐(γ,δ‐disubstituted)allylidene‐2‐oxindoles afforded spirodihydronaphthalene‐2‐oxindole frameworks via an oxidative Heck arylation (Fujiwara–Moritani reaction), an allylic palladium migration, and an aryl C H bond functionalization/arylation cascade of reactions. This is a first example of the palladium‐catalyzed oxidative arylation and an aryl C H bond functionalization/arylation cascade reaction which involves an electrophilic arylative quenching of a π‐allylpalladium intermediate and a regio‐controlled aryl C H bond activation assisted by a weak palladium‐arene interaction.

     

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Six‐Membered Carbocyclic Spirooxindoles via 6π‐Electrocyclization of 3‐Dienylidene‐2‐ oxindoles

The Wittig reaction of isatin derivatives with Morita–Baylis–Hillman bromides of cinnamaldehydes afforded 3‐dienylidene‐2‐oxindoles. These trienes were converted into the corresponding spirooxindoles in a stereoselective manner in refluxing toluene in good yields. The diastereomeric spirooxindoles could be obtained stereoselectively by adding a catalytic amount of palladium(II) acetate via the palladium‐catalyzed isomerization of EEE‐trienes to ZEE‐trienes followed by a more facile 6π‐electrocyclization process. The obtained spirooxindoles could be further functionalized by palladium‐catalyzed oxidative arylation, thionation with Lawesson’s reagent, catalytic hydrogenation and Friedel–Crafts‐type reaction.

     

Divergent Reactivity of 2‐Azetidinone‐Tethered Allenols with Electrophilic Reagents: Controlled Ring Expansion versus Spirocyclization

A dual reactivity of 2‐azetidinone‐tethered allenols may occur by judicious choice of the electrophilic reagents, namely halogenating versus selenating reagents. Using common substrates, structurally different compounds, namely tetramic acids (from N‐bromosuccinimide) or spirocyclic seleno‐β‐lactams (from N‐phenylselenophthalimide), can be readily synthesized by these divergent protocols.     

Preparation of 5‐Membered Rings via Radical Addition‐ Translocation‐Cyclization (RATC) Processes Mediated by Diethyl Thiophosphites

A practical method for the formation of thiophosphonates bearing functionalized monocyclic, fused bicyclic and spirocyclic residues is presented. The procedure requires the easily available terminal alkynes as starting materials as well as commercially and readily available reagents such as diethyl thiophosphite. The experimental procedure consists of a one‐pot process without any slow addition of one of the reagents.     

Phosphine‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Formal [4+2] Tandem Cyclization of Activated Dienes with Isatylidenemalononitriles: Enantioselective Synthesis of Multistereogenic Spirocyclic Oxindoles

The first highly enantioselective formal [4+2] tandem cyclizations between isatylidenemalononitriles and activated dienes catalyzed by bifunctional chiral phosphine catalysts have been developed, yielding multistereogenic spirocyclic oxindoles in high yields and excellent optical purity. This reaction is accomplished via a tandem Rauhut–Currier/Michael/Rauhut–Currier reaction sequence.

     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Diaryl‐Substituted Spirocyclohexanonepyrazolones through a Cascade [4+2] Double Michael Addition

The spirocyclic pyrazolones are an important class of molecular structures with significant biological and pharmaceutical activities. Herein, we demonstrate that the combination of a Cinchona‐based chiral primary amine and an ortho‐fluorobenzoic acid is an efficient catalyst system for the double Michael addition of arylidenepyrazolones with α,β‐unsaturated ketones, providing chiral unsymmetrical 6,10‐diaryl‐substituted spiro[cyclohexanone‐pyrazolone] derivatives in high yields (up to 98%) with good diastereoselectivities and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 88:12 dr, 99% ee).     

Multicomponent Reactions of Phosphines,Enynedioates and Cinnamaldimines Give γ‐Lactams with a 1,3,5‐Hexatriene Moiety for Facile 6π Electrocyclization: Access to Oxindoles,Isatins and Isoxazolinones

Multicomponent reactions of phosphines, enynedioates and cinnamaldimines generated 3‐phosphorus ylide γ‐lactams having a 1,3,5‐hexatriene moiety with low activation energy barrier for 6π electrocyclization, through initial formation of 1,3‐dipoles from the α(δ′)‐Michael addition of phosphines to enynedioates. The reactive 1,3‐dipoles underwent addition to cinnamaldimines, lactamization, 6π electrocyclization and oxidation to give 3‐phosphorus ylide oxindoles as platform molecules toward isatins and isoxazolinones. The key step, 6π electrocyclization, was further examined by a kinetic and a computational study.

     

Chiral Brønsted Acid‐Mediated Enantioselective Organocatalytic Three‐Component Reaction for the Construction of Trifluoromethyl‐Containing Molecules

In combination with the advantages of organocatalysis, we have developed a highly enantioselective Friedel–Crafts aminoalkylation of indoles with imines generated in situ from trifluoroacetaldehyde methyl hemiacetal and aniline. Novel chiral trifluoromethyl‐containing compounds were obtained in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities. This methodology was further extended to difluoroacetaldehyde methyl hemiacetal to demonstrate the broad scope of substrates.