Highly efficient and stereocontrolled construction of 3,3'-pyrrolidonyl spirooxindoles via organocatalytic domino Michael/cyclization reaction.

A wide range of structurally diverse 3,3'-thiopyrrolidonyl spirooxindoles bearing three contiguous stereogenic centers can be smoothly obtained via a domino Michael/cyclization reaction between 3-isothiocyanato oxindoles and 3-methyl-4-nitro-5-alkenyl-isoxazoles with commercially available quinine as the catalyst under mild conditions. The protocol is significantly characterized by high reactivity, a low catalyst loading (1 mol %), and an excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity (up to >99:1 dr and 98% ee).