Asymmetric organocatalytic direct Mannich reaction of acetylacetone and isatin derived ketimines: Low catalyst loading in chiral cinchona-squaramides

A highly enantioselective synthesis of 3-amino-2-oxindoles by direct Mannich reaction between acetylacetone and N-carbamoyl isatin ketimine has been described herein. Corresponding chiral adducts were obtained in high yields (up to 98%) and with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee) by very low (1 mol%) catalyst loading of 2-adamantyl substituted bifunctional cinchona-squaramide. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.