Enantioselective Organocatalytic Three-Component Vinylogous Michael/Aldol Tandem Reaction among 3-Alkylidene oxindoles, Methyleneindolinones, and Aldehydes

J Org Chem. 2022 Jan 7;87(1):197-210. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.1c02180. Epub 2021 Dec 9.

Abstract

We reported a one-pot enantioselective three-component vinylogous Michael/aldol tandem reaction of prochiral 3-alkylidene oxindoles with methyleneindolinones and aldehydes using bifunctional organocatalysts. A variety of enantioenriched 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles 3 and spirolactones 4 were generated in moderate yields (up to 78%) with high stereoselectivities (up to >20:1 dr, >99% ee). Intriguingly, we observed that the aldol reaction with paraformaldehyde generates 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles 3 bearing a hydroxymethyl group, while the reaction with aliphatic aldehydes generates spirolactones 4.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldehydes*
  • Catalysis
  • Oxindoles
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • Oxindoles
  • 3-hydroxybutanal