Rhodium(II) catalyzed highly diastereoselective synthesis of conformationally restricted dispiro[1,3-dioxolane]bisoxindoles

Synthesis of conformationally restricted dispiro- and bis-dispiro-1,3-dioxolanes via three-component reaction of diazoamides, ketoamides/diketones, and aromatic/heteroaromatic aldehydes in the presence of rhodium(II) acetate dimer catalyst at room temperature involving carbonyl ylides is demonstrated with diastereoselectivity. Synthesis of macrocyclic dispiro-1,3-dioxolanes via intramolecular carbonyl ylide is also delineated in high yield. The conformationally restricted symmetrical as well as unsymmetrical dispiro-1,3-dioxolanes were obtained under mild conditions in a highly diastereo- and regioselective manner.