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DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1317902
NHC-Catalyzed Annulation of Isatin N-Boc Ketimines and Enals
Authors
Publikationsverlauf
Publikationsdatum:
17. Dezember 2012 (online)

Significance
Chi and co-workers report an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed annulation of isatin N-Boc imines with enals, which affords spirocyclic oxindole-γ-lactams bearing one quaternary chiral center in good diastereo- and excellent stereoselectivities (dr up to >20:1 and er > 99.5:0.5). Ketimines and γ-aryl enals with electron-donating substituents lead to better yield and selectivity compared to electron-withdrawing substituents. The presence of a trace of water is beneficial for the conversion of the reaction. The resulting products can be easily deprotected to free γ-lactams in high yield.
Comment
γ-Lactams are privileged scaffolds found in naturally occurring and synthetic biologically active compounds. Herein, the authors have developed a novel NHC-catalyzed annulation methodology, which allows for a rapid construction of spirocyclic oxindole-γ-lactams with high diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity. More efficient catalysts and the application to more challenging substrates are expected.
