Highly Enantioselective Addition of Enals to Isatin-Derived Ketimines Catalyzed by N-Heterocyclic Carbenes: Synthesis of Spirocyclic γ-Lactams

Abstract

An N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed annulation reaction of isatin N-Boc ketimines and enals is developed for the synthesis of spirocyclic oxindole-γ-lactams bearing one quaternary chiral center in good yields and excellent stereoselectivities (up to >20:1 dr and 99% ee).