ChemInform Abstract: Asymmetric α-Amination of 3-Substituted Oxindoles Using Chiral Bifunctional Phosphine Catalysts

A highly enantioselective α-amination of 3-substituted oxindoles with azodicarboxylates catalyzed by amino acids-derived chiral phosphine catalysts is reported. The corresponding products containing a tetrasubstituted carbon center attached to a nitrogen atom at the C-3 position of the oxindole were obtained in high yields and with up to 98% ee.