Dimeric quinidine-catalyzed enantioselective aminooxygenation of oxindoles: an organocatalytic approach to 3-hydroxyoxindole derivatives

J Am Chem Soc. 2010 Apr 28;132(16):5574-5. doi: 10.1021/ja101032j.

Abstract

3-Hydroxyoxindoles are common structural motifs found in a vast array of natural and biologically active molecules. Most catalytic methods for the asymmetric syntheses of these compounds require the use of transition-metal catalysts. In contrast, alternative catalytic procedures involving organocatalysis are scarce. Herein we disclose a novel aminooxygenation of oxindoles with nitrosobenzene catalyzed by a newly designed quinidine dimer to afford the desired products in good yields with enantioselectivities up to 96%. These reactions allow one to construct a C-O bond at the C(3) position of oxindoles with the creation of an oxygen-containing tetrasubstituted chiral center and provide a new, general organocatalytic approach to the synthesis of 3-hydroxyoxindole derivatives.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Dimerization*
  • Indoles / chemistry*
  • Nitroso Compounds / chemistry
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxindoles
  • Quinidine / chemistry*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Nitroso Compounds
  • Oxindoles
  • 2-oxindole
  • Quinidine
  • nitrosobenzene