A DBU-catalyzed Michael-Pinner-isomerization cascade reaction of 3-hydroxyoxindoles with isatylidene malononitriles: access to highly functionalized bispirooxindoles containing a fully substituted dihydrofuran motif

Org Biomol Chem. 2017 Jan 25;15(4):984-990. doi: 10.1039/c6ob02254e.

Abstract

The first DBU-catalyzed Michael/Pinner/isomerization cascade reaction of 3-hydrooxindoles with isatylidene malononitriles was developed, and the corresponding highly functionalized bispirooxindoles containing a fully substituted dihydrofuran motif were obtained in up to 92% yields. This protocol also provides an efficient method for the synthesis of an α-cyano-γ-butyrolactone bispirooxindole. In addition, a one-pot three-component cascade reaction was conducted. Also, the asymmetric version of the cascade reaction was achieved.