Stereoselective Organocatalytic Construction of Spiro Oxindole Pyrrolidines Using Unsaturated α‐Ketoesters and α‐Ketoamides

Abstract We have investigated the stereoselective formation of spiro oxindole pyrrolidines via formal [3+2] cycloaddition of oxindole imines with ketoesters and ketoamides. Bifunctional squaramide organocatalyst was able to induce enantioselectivity of up to 60 % ee, increased to 72 % ee after re‐crystallization, in the formation of spiro pyrrolidines with ketoesters. Interestingly, ketoamides provided alternative spiro oxindole pyrrole products in addition to the main product, which was formed via a different reaction pathway. Structures of spiro oxindole pyrrolidine as well as pyrrole products were confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. Two new squaramide based catalysts were synthesized and tested. DFT calculation helped elucidate the reaction course.