Organocatalytic tandem enantioselective Michael-cyclization of isatin-derived β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters with 3-hydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one or 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives

Abstract

The enantioselective formal [3 + 3] annulation reaction of isatin-derived β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters with 3-hydroxy-4H-chromen-4-ones or 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone was successfully implemented under catalysis of quinine-derived bifunctional tertiary amine-thiourea catalysts. The efficient tandem Michael-cyclization has provided facile access to optically active spiro[oxindole-pyrano[3,2-b]chromenone] and spiro[oxindole-benzo[g]chromene-dione] derivatives in high yields with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities.