Highly chemoselective synthesis of dimeric 2-oxindoles with a C-3/C-5' linkage via Friedel-Crafts alkylations of 2-oxindoles with 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles

Org Biomol Chem. 2015 Nov 21;13(43):10641-55. doi: 10.1039/c5ob01670c.

Abstract

Simple and convenient Lewis acid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylations of 2-oxindoles as electron rich aromatics with 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles as electron deficient partners have been developed. The reaction afforded a variety of dimeric 2-oxindoles with a C-3/C-5' linkage having an all-carbon quaternary center at the pseudobenzylic position in high yields.