Stereoselective synthesis of spiro[pyrrolidin-3,3′-oxindoles] via organocatalyzed asymmetric Mannich-type reaction

Abstract The organocatalyzed asymmetric Mannich-type spirocyclization was employed to access the spiro[pyrrolidin-3,3′-oxindoles], a biologically privileged ring structure, from readily available 2-oxotryptaphan methyl ester and aromatic aldehydes. The stereoselectivity of this cyclization are closely correlated with the organocatalyst and solvent used for the reaction. The best diastereoselectivity (d.r. ≥99%) was achieved using only 5% loading of the bifunctional organocatalyst, Takemoto’s thiourea, and dioxane as solvent, resulting in the formation of the the spirocycle with the (2′R, 3R) configuration. The yield could be increased up to 97% when excess of benzaldehyde was used to overcome its trimerization.