Organocatalytic enantioselective aza-Henry reaction of ketimines derived from isatins: access to optically active 3-amino-2-oxindoles

Abstract

An organocatalytic asymmetric aza-Henry reaction of ketimines derived from isatins with nitroalkanes has been achieved using Cinchona alkaloid organocatalysts. This method works efficiently with several ketimines to produce a good (up to 82%) yield of the corresponding 3-substituted 3-amino-2-oxindoles with a good (up to 89%) enantiomeric excess.