Core-Structure-Motivated Design of a Phosphine-Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition Reaction: Enantioselective Syntheses of Spirocyclopenteneoxindoles

A novel organocatalytic asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction between methyleneindolinones and allylic compounds yielding complex spirocyclopentaneoxindoles has been developed. It provides extraordinary levels of enantioselective control involving a chiral phosphine as a nucleophilic organocatalyst. Simple precursors were used under mild conditions to construct oxindole derivatives with high enantiopurity and structural diversity. This method should be useful in medicinal chemistry and diversity-oriented syntheses of these intriguing compounds.