Dinuclear Zinc Catalyzed [3+2] Annulation of Benzylideneindolinones Access to CF3‐Containing 2,3‐Pyrrolidinyl Dispirooxindoles

Abstract

AbstractThis report has realized the catalytic asymmetric [3+2] annulation of benzylideneindolinones with CF3‐containing isatin‐derived azomethine ylides for the first time, in which the organocatalysis has failed. In the presence of dinuclear zinc catalysts, a series of functionalized 2,3‐pyrrolidinyl dispirooxindoles have been synthesized in good yields with excellent stereoselectivity under mild reaction conditions. This protocol can be run on a gram scale and a possible catalytic mechanism is proposed.