Synthesis of functionalized dispiro[indoline-3,1 $${^{\prime }}$$ ′ -cyclopentane-3 $${^{\prime }}$$ ′ ,3 $${^{\prime \prime }}$$ ″ -indolines] via cyclodimerization of 3-phenacylideneoxindolines with benzoylhydrazides and arylhydrazines

Efficient construction of spirocyclopentane-1,3-dioxindoles via an annulation reaction of isocyanides and 3-methyleneoxindoles

The DABCO-promoted annulation reaction of alkyl isocyanides with two 3-methyleneoxindole molecules in refluxing acetonitrile afforded functionalized dispiro[indoline-3,1'-cyclopentane-3',3''-indolines] in moderate yields and with a variety of diastereoselectivities through a cascade [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition reaction. However, the DABCO-promoted annulation reaction of 3-(2-isocyanoethyl)indole and 3-phenacylideneoxindoles gave unique polycyclic spiro[indoline-3,5'-pyrrolo[3',2':2,3]cyclopenta[1,2-b]indoles] in satisfactory yields and with high diastereoselectivity.

Selective construction of dispiro[indoline-3,2'-quinoline-3',3''-indoline] and dispiro[indoline-3,2'-pyrrole-3',3''-indoline] via three-component reaction

A convenient synthetic procedure for the construction of novel dispirooxindole motifs was successfully developed by base-promoted three-component reaction of ammonium acetate, isatins and in situ-generated 3-isatyl-1,4-dicarbonyl compounds. The piperidine-promoted three-component reaction of ammonium acetate, isatins and the in situ-generated dimedone adducts of 3-ethoxycarbonylmethyleneoxindoles afforded mutlifunctionalized dispiro[indoline-3,2'-quinoline-3',3''-indoline] derivatives in good yields and with high diastereoselectivity. On the other hand, a similar reaction of the dimedone adducts of 3-phenacylideneoxindoles afforded unique dispiro[indoline-3,2'-pyrrole-3',3''-indoline] derivatives with a cyclohexanedione substituent. A plausible reaction mechanism is proposed to explain the formation of the different spirooxindoles.

Tosylhydrazine-promoted self-conjugate reduction–Michael/aldol reaction of 3-phenacylideneoxindoles towards dispirocyclopentanebisoxindole derivatives

An efficient tosylhydrazine-mediated conjugate reduction of 3-phenacylideneoxindole and sequential Michael/intramolecular aldol reaction is reported under base-catalyzed conditions towards the formation of densely substituted dispirocyclopentanebisoxindole derivatives. The reaction proceeded in a diastereoselective manner to afford four chiral stereocenters. The method also has advantages of wide substrate scope, readily available starting materials and operational simplicity through one pot reaction.

Stereoselective synthesis and applications of spirocyclic oxindoles

This review summaries recent synthetic developments towards spirocyclic oxindoles and applications as valuable medicinal and synthetic targets.

Diastereoselective synthesis of dispiro[indoline-3,3′-furan-2′,3′′-pyrrolidine] via [3 + 2]cycloaddition reaction of MBH maleimides of isatins and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds

In the presence of mixed bases DABCO and K₂CO₃, the reaction of MBH maleimides of isatins with various cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds afforded functionalized dispiro[indoline-3,3′-furan-2′,3′′-pyrrolidines] in satisfactory yields and with high diastereoselectivity.

Synthesis of 7'-Arylidenespiro[indoline-3,1'-pyrrolizines] and 7'-Arylidenespiro[indene-2,1'-pyrrolizines] via [3 + 2] Cycloaddition and β-C-H Functionalized Pyrrolidine

The acetic acid catalyzed three-component reaction of pyrrolidine, aromatic aldehydes, and 3-arylideneoxindolin-2-ones in refluxing toluene afforded functionalized 7'-arylidenespiro[indoline-3,1'-pyrrolizines] in good yields and with high diastereoselectivity. The similar three-component reaction with 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones also gave 7'-arylidenespiro[indene-2,1'-pyrrolizines] in good yields. However, the reaction with 3-phenacylideneoxindoles resulted in a mixture of spiro[indoline-3,1'-pyrrolizines] and 7'-arylidene-substituted spirooxindoles in moderate yields. The reaction mechanism included generation of azomethine ylides, β-C-H functionalization of pyrrolidine, and sequential [3 + 2] cycloaddition. The obtained spirooxindole derivatives were investigated by in vitro evaluation against mouse colon cancer cells CT26 and human liver cancer cells HepG2 by MTT assay.

Facile one-pot synthesis of spirooxindole-pyrrolidine derivatives and their antimicrobial and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities

A library of novel spirooxindole-pyrrolidine derivatives were facilely synthesized via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylide generated from sarcosine and paraformaldehyde with various 3-methyleneoxindolines.