Maleimide as an efficient nucleophilic partner in the aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction: synthesis of chiral 3-substituted-3-aminooxindoles

A highly enantioselective β-isocupreidine catalyzed aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction of maleimides with isatin derived ketimines provides 3-substituted-3-aminooxindoles with enantiomeric excess upto 99%.