Metal-free formal carbon-halogen bond insertion: facile syntheses of 3-halo 3,3'-disubstituted oxindoles and spirooxindole-γ-butyrolactones

Chem Commun (Camb). 2017 Jun 22;53(51):6860-6863. doi: 10.1039/c7cc03765a.

Abstract

A novel P(NMe2)3-mediated formal carbon-halogen bond insertion of isatins into allylic and benzylic bromides/chlorides has been realized, leading to a facile synthesis of 3-halo 3,3'-disubstituted oxindoles. This reaction relies on the unique dual nucleophilic-electrophilic reactivity pattern of the Kukhtin-Ramirez adduct via a cascade SN2-SN2 process. It also represents a rare metal-free approach for carbon-halogen bond insertion. Upon treatment with trifluoroacetic acid, spirooxindole-γ-butyrolactones have been efficiently prepared from the corresponding insertion products.