A new asymmetric activation strategy for hydrazones as acyl anion equivalents in the bimetallic catalyzed carbonyl-ene reaction?

Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry Pub Date: 2021-02-09 DOI: 10.1039/D1OB00017A

Abstract

A new asymmetric activation strategy for hydrazones as acyl anion equivalents is developed in the bimetallic catalyzed carbonyl-ene reaction of isatins and hydrazones. Under mild conditions, optically active functionalized 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles were furnished in up to 98% yield with up to 97% enantioselectivity. In this process, formaldehyde tert-butylhydrazone which is seldom employed in asymmetric carbonyl-ene reactions accelerated by a metallic catalyst can be activated well by a Br?nsted base. A possible catalytic cycle is proposed.

Graphical abstract: A new asymmetric activation strategy for hydrazones as acyl anion equivalents in the bimetallic catalyzed carbonyl-ene reaction
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