A New Cyclization/Decarboxylation Reaction of Isatins with Acyl Chlorides for the Facile Synthesis of 3‐Alkenyl‐Oxindoles

The first cyclization/decarboxylation reaction of isatins with acyl chlorides promoted by 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) was described and a series of desired 3‐alkenyl‐oxindoles were obtained in good yields (up to 80%) and E/Z selectivities (up to 6.4/1). This protocol provided a new and feasible access to 3‐alkenyl‐oxindoles.     

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Conjugate Addition of 3‐Monosubstituted Oxindoles to (E)‐1,4‐Diaryl‐2‐buten‐1,4‐diones: A Strategy for the Indirect Enantioselective Furanylation and Pyrrolylation of 3‐Alkyloxindoles

An asymmetric conjugate addition of 3‐monosubstituted oxindoles to a range of (E)‐1,4‐diaryl‐2‐buten‐1,4‐diones, catalyzed by commercially available cinchonine, is described. This organocatalytic asymmetric reaction affords a broad range of 3,3′‐disubstituted oxindoles that contain a 1,4‐dicarbonyl moiety and vicinal quaternary and tertiary stereogenic centers in high‐to‐excellent yields (up to 98 %), with excellent diastereomeric and moderate‐to‐high enantiomeric ratios (up to 99:1 and 95:5, respectively). Subsequently, cyclization of the 1,4‐dicarbonyl moiety in the resultant Michael adducts under different Paal–Knorr conditions results in two new kinds of 3,3′‐disubstituted oxindoles—3‐furanyl‐ and 3‐pyrrolyl‐3‐alkyl‐oxindoles—in high yields and good enantioselectivities. Notably, the studies presented here sufficiently confirm that this two‐step strategy of sequential conjugate addition/Paal–Knorr cyclization is not only an attractive method for the indirect enantioselective heteroarylation of 3‐alkyloxindoles, but also opens up new avenues toward asymmetric synthesis of structurally diverse 3,3′‐disubstituted oxindole derivatives.     

Remote Construction of Chiral Vicinal Tertiary and Quaternary Centers by Catalytic Asymmetric 1,6‐Conjugate Addition of Prochiral Carbon Nucleophiles to Cyclic Dienones

An unprecedented remote construction of chiral vicinal tertiary and quaternary centers by a catalytic asymmetric 1,6‐conjugate addition of prochiral carbon nucleophiles to cyclic dienones has been developed. Both 5H‐oxazol‐4‐ones and 2‐oxindoles were found to be very efficient carbon nucleophiles in this reaction at a remote position, giving products with excellent enantio‐ and diastereoselectivities (up to 99 % ee and >19:1 d.r. for 5H‐oxazol‐4‐ones and up to 97 % ee and >19:1 d.r. for 2‐oxindoles).     

Asymmetric Double Michael Reaction Catalyzed by Simple Primary Amine Catalysts: A Straightforward Approach to Construct Spirocyclic Oxindoles

The enantioselective double Michael reaction of N‐Boc‐3‐nonsubstitued oxindoles with dienones catalyzed by chiral monoimide protected cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamines was developed. A wide range of optically active spirocyclic oxindoles were obtained up to 98% yield and up to 89% ee.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 3‐(α‐Hydroxy‐β‐carbonyl) Oxindoles by a ScIII‐Catalyzed Direct Aldol‐Type Reaction

A direct catalytic asymmetric aldol‐type reaction of 3‐substituted‐2‐oxindoles with glyoxal derivatives and ethyl trifluoropyruvate, catalyzed by a chiral N,N′‐dioxide–Sc(OTf)₃ (Tf=trifluoromethanesulfonyl) complex, has been developed that tolerates a wide range of substrates. The reaction proceeds in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 93 % yield, 99:1 diastereomeric ratio (dr), and >99 % enantiomeric excess (ee)) under mild conditions, to deliver 3‐(α‐hydroxy‐β‐carbonyl) oxindoles with vicinal quaternary–tertiary or quaternary–quaternary stereocenters. Even with 1 mol % catalyst loading or on scaleup (10 mmol of starting material), maintenance of ee was observed, which showed the potential value of the catalyst system. In studies probing the reaction mechanism, a positive nonlinear effect was observed and Sc^III‐based enolate intermediates were detected by using ESIMS. On the basis of the experimental results and previous reports, a possible catalytic cycle was assumed.     

Synthesis of 3,3‐Disubstituted Oxindoles by Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Intramolecular α‐Arylation of Amides: Reaction Development and Mechanistic Studies

Palladium complexes incorporating chiral N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands catalyze the asymmetric intramolecular α‐arylation of amides producing 3,3‐disubstituted oxindoles. Comprehensive DFT studies have been performed to gain insight into the mechanism of this transformation. Oxidative addition is shown to be rate‐determining and reductive elimination to be enantioselectivity‐determining. The synthesis of seven new NHC ligands is detailed and their performance is compared. One of them, L8 , containing a tBu and a 1‐naphthyl group at the stereogenic centre, proved superior and was very efficient in the asymmetric synthesis of fifteen new spiro‐oxindoles and three azaspiro‐oxindoles often in high yields (up to 99 %) and enantioselectivities (up to 97 % ee; ee=enantiomeric excess). Three palladacycle intermediates resulting from the oxidative addition of [Pd(NHC)] into the aryl halide bond were isolated and structurally characterized (X‐ray). Using these intermediates as catalysts showed alkene additives to play an important role in increasing turnover number and frequency.     

Squaramide‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Enantioenriched Spirocyclic Oxindoles via Ketimine Intermediates with Multiple Active Sites

A new method for the construction of five‐membered spirocyclic oxindoles is based on a Michael–Mannich cascade reaction of a ketimine intermediated catalyzed by a bifunctional quinine‐derived squaramide. The desired products were obtained in excellent yields (up to 94 %) and stereoselectivities (up to >20:1 d.r., >99 % ee). A scaled‐up variant also proceeded smoothly showing that the one‐pot reaction might find application in the synthesis of bioactive‐compound libraries.     

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Addition of Naphthols and Electron‐Rich Phenols to Isatin‐Derived Ketimines: Highly Enantioselective Construction of Tetrasubstituted Stereocenters

A quinine‐derived thiourea organocatalyst promoted the highly enantioselective addition of naphthols and activated phenols to ketimines derived from isatins. The reaction afforded chiral 3‐amino‐2‐oxindoles with a quaternary stereocenter in high yields (up to 99 %) with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). To the best of our knowledge, this transformation is the first highly enantioselective addition of naphthols to ketimines.     

Transition‐metal‐free Chemoselective Oxidative C−C Coupling of the sp3 C−H Bond of Oxindoles with Arenes and Addition to Alkene: Synthesis of 3‐Aryl Oxindoles,and Benzofuro‐ and Indoloindoles

A transition‐metal (TM)‐free and halogen‐free NaOt Bu‐mediated oxidative cross‐coupling between the sp³ C−H bond of oxindoles and sp² C−H bond of nitroarenes has been developed to access 3‐aryl substituted and 3,3‐aryldisubstituted oxindoles in DMSO at room temperature in a short time. Interestingly, the sp³ C−H bond of oxindoles could also react with styrene under TM‐free conditions for the practical synthesis of quaternary 3,3‐disubstituted oxindoles. The synthesized 3‐oxindoles have also been further transformed into advanced heterocycles, that is, benzofuroindoles, indoloindoles, and substituted indoles. Mechanistic experiments of the reaction suggests the formation of an anion intermediate from the sp³ C−H bond of oxindole by tert ‐butoxide base in DMSO. The addition of nitrobenzene to the in‐situ generated carbanion leads to the 3‐(nitrophenyl)oxindolyl carbanion in DMSO which is subsequently oxidized to 3‐(nitro‐aryl) oxindole by DMSO.     

A Divergent Approach to the Diastereoselective Synthesis of 3,3‐Disubstituted Oxindoles from Atropisomeric N‐Aryl Oxindole Derivatives

3,3‐Disubstituted oxindoles were divergently synthesized by diastereoselective transformations including nucleophilic addition, alkylation, and cycloaddition using common, axially chiral N‐aryl oxindoles. Notably, high diastereoselectivities (up to >95:5) were observed with ortho‐monosubstituted N‐aryl oxindoles to give various oxindole scaffolds, and facile removal of the p‐(benzyloxy)aryl moiety in axially twisted amides was achieved by a mild, two‐step sequence.     

Construction of Novel Tetrahydro‐β‐carboline‐1‐thione Spirooxindoles by Brønsted Acid Mediated Formal [3+3] Cyclization of 3‐Indolylmethanols with 3‐Isothiocyanato Oxindoles

p‐Toluenesulfonic acid mediated formal [3+3] cyclization of 3‐indolylmethanols with 3‐isothiocyanato oxindoles was realized. This transformation allowed for the synthesis of a series of novel tetrahydro‐β‐carboline‐1‐thione spirooxindoles in moderate to excellent yields (up to 99%) with generally good diastereoselectivities (up to >20:1). The structure of one product was determined by an X‐ray crystal structural analysis.     

Silver‐Catalyzed Efficient Synthesis of Oxindoles and Pyrroloindolines via α‐Aminoalkylation of N‐Arylacrylamides with Amino Acid Derivatives

α‐Aminoalkylation of N‐arylacrylamides with amino acid derivatives was achieved by silver‐catalysis in moderate to high yields. The reaction provides an efficient strategy for the synthesis of functionalized oxindoles, and is suitable for a wide range of N‐arylacrylamides and amino acids, both of which are inexpensive and readily available. The oxindoles obtained were readily transformed into densely functionalized pyrroloindolines by deprotection and cyclization in one pot.     

Organocatalytic Stereoselective Synthesis of 3‐Alkyl‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxindoles Catalyzed by Novel Water‐compatible Axially Unfixed Biaryl‐based Bifunctional Organocatalysts

In this work, six novel axially unfixed biaryl‐based water‐compatible bifunctional organocatalysts were designed and synthesized for the organocatalytic access to a variety of 3‐alkyl‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxindole derivatives via aldol reactions in water. Organocatalyzed by 5a , the direct aldol reactions of isatins with enolisable ketones underwent readily in water, furnishing the structurally diverse 3‐alkyl‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxindoles in various stereoselectivities (up to>99% dr and >99% ee). Moreover, a plausible transition state of the conducted aldol reactions was hypothesized to shed light on the observed stereoselectivities of the obtained 3‐alkyl‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxindoles.     

Pd/Cu‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Sequential Heck/Sonogashira Coupling: Asymmetric Synthesis of Oxindoles Containing Trifluoromethylated Quaternary Stereogenic Centers

An asymmetric palladium and copper co‐catalyzed Heck/Sonogashira reaction between o‐iodoacrylanilides and terminal alkynes to synthesize chiral oxindoles was developed. In particular, a wide range of CF₃‐substituted o‐iodoacrylanilides reacted with terminal alkynes, affording the corresponding chiral oxindoles containing trifluoromethylated quaternary stereogenic centers in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (94–98 % ee). This asymmetric Heck/Sonogashira reaction provides a general approach to access oxindole derivatives containing quaternary stereogenic centers including CF₃‐substituted ones.     

Enantioselective Cascade Michael Addition/Cyclization Reactions of 3‐Nitro‐2H‐Chromenes with 3‐Isothiocyanato Oxindoles: Efficient Synthesis of Functionalized Polycyclic Spirooxindoles

An unprecedented Zn(OTf)₂‐catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition/cyclization cascade of 3‐nitro‐2H‐chromenes with 3‐isothiocyanato oxindoles has been disclosed. This transformation provides an efficient access to various synthetically important polycyclic spirooxindoles in a highly stereoselective manner under mild conditions (72–99 % yields, up to >95:5 d.r. and >99 % ee). The reaction leads to the formation of three consecutive stereocenters, including 1,3‐nonadjacent tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters, in a single operation. A bifunctional activation model of the chiral Zn(OTf)₂/bis(oxazoline) complex was proposed based on control experiments, wherein the Zn^II moiety serves as a Lewis acid and the N atom of the free NH group acts as a Lewis base by a hydrogen‐bonding interaction.     

Nickel(II)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Propargyl [2,3] Wittig Rearrangement of Oxindole Derivatives: A Chiral Amplification Effect

A highly enantioselective [2,3] Wittig rearrangement of oxindole derivatives was realized by using a chiral N,N′‐dioxide/Ni^II complex as the catalyst under mild reaction conditions. A strong chiral amplification effect was observed, and allowed access to chiral 3‐hydroxy 3‐substituted oxindoles bearing allenyl groups in high yields and enantioselectivities (up to 92 % ee) by using a ligand with only 15 % ee. A reasonable explanation was given based on the experimental investigations and X‐ray crystal structures of enantiomerically pure and racemic catalysts. Moreover, the first catalytic kinetic resolution of racemic oxindole derivatives by a [2,3] Wittig rearrangement was realized with high efficiency and stereoselectivity.     

Highly Stereoselective Conjugate Addition and α‐Alkynylation Reaction with Electron‐Deficient Alkynes Catalyzed by Chiral Scandium(III) Complexes

The highly Z‐selective asymmetric conjugate addition of 3‐substituted oxindoles to alkynyl carbonyl compounds has been developed by using scandium complexes of chiral N,N′‐dioxides under mild conditions. The thermodynamically unstable Z‐olefin derivatives were obtained in excellent yields and high enantiomeric and geometric control. The catalyst was also found to be effective in the asymmetric acetylenic substitution reaction of 3‐substituted oxindoles, giving excellent enantioselectivities.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of 2‐Oxindole Spirofused Lactones and Lactams by Heck/Carbonylative Cylization Sequences: Method Development and Applications

An efficient one‐pot assembly of all‐carbon spiro‐oxindole compounds from non‐oxindole‐based materials has been developed through a palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric Heck/carbonylative lactonization and lactamization sequence. Diversified spirooxindole γ‐and δ‐lactones/lactams were accessed in high yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee) under mild reaction conditions. The natural product coixspirolactam A was conveniently synthesized by applying the current methodology, and thus its absolute configuration was elucidated for the first time. Asymmetric synthesis of an effective CRTH2 receptor antagonist has also been demonstrated utilizing this method in the key step.     

Functionalization and Rearrangement of Spirocyclohexadienyl Oxindoles: Experimental and Theoretical Investigations

The preparation and functionalization of spirocyclohexa‐2,5‐diene oxindoles is described. The spirocyclic core of the title compounds was installed by using a SmI₂‐mediated cyclization of aryl iodobenzamides. Epoxidation with CF₃CO₃H was then carried out and was shown to occur with a high level of diastereocontrol: the reagent approaches the diene moiety syn to the amide group, which is likely to be as a consequence of hydrogen bonding between the amide C?O bond and the peracid hydrogen. Carbanionic functionalization of the spirocyclohexa‐2,5‐diene oxindoles was then examined, leading to an unprecedented rearrangement of the strained spiro system into dearomatized phenanthridinones. Upon treatment with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) at ?40 °C, the dienes rearranged to provide a phenanthridinone lithium enolate intermediate that was trapped by electrophiles including alkyl halides and aldehydes. Interestingly, alkylation and hydroxyalkylation occurred with different regiocontrol. DFT calculations were performed that rationalize the observed skeleton rearrangement, emphasizing the role of LDA/diisopropylamine in this rearrangement. The proposed mechanism thus relies on a thermodynamically driven diisopropylamine‐mediated proton transfer with the cleavage of the diene–amide C?O bond as the key step.     

Asymmetric Ring Opening/Cyclization/Retro‐Mannich Reaction of Cyclopropyl Ketones with Aryl 1,2‐Diamines for the Synthesis of Benzimidazole Derivatives

A highly efficient asymmetric ring‐opening/cyclization/retro‐Mannich reaction of cyclopropyl ketones with aryl 1,2‐diamines has been realized using a chiral N,N′‐dioxide/Sc^III catalyst. Benzimidazoles containing chiral side chains were generated under mild reaction conditions in excellent outcomes (up to 99 % yield and 97 % ee). This method also provides efficient access to chiral benzimidazole‐substituted amide and cycloheptene derivatives.