Highly Efficient and Diastereoselective Construction of Trifluoromethyl‐Containing Spiro[pyrrolidin‐3,2′‐oxindole] by a Catalyst‐free Mutually Activated [3+2] Cycloaddition Reaction.

Abstract: A catalyst‐free self‐catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of isatin‐derived α‐(trifluoromethyl)imines with vinylpyridines is reported. The reaction offers a straightforward and atom‐economical procedure for the preparation of a series of 5′‐trifluoromethyl‐spiro[pyrrolidin‐3,2′‐oxindoles] in excellent yields and diastereoselectivities. The reaction mechanism has been investigated by control experiments, DFT calculation of pK_a values and the kinetic profiles, revealing that this reaction featured the mutual activation between isatin‐derived α‐(trifluoromethyl)imines and vinylpyridine to generate the reactive species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]