Organocatalytic [3 + 2] cycloaddition of oxindole-based azomethine ylides with 3-nitrochromenes: a facile approach to enantioenriched polycyclic spirooxindole-chromane adducts.

An organocatalytic asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloaddition of oxindole-based azomethine ylides with 3-nitro-2H-chromenes has been developed. This reaction provides a facile approach to densely functionalized polycyclic spirooxindole-chromane adducts featuring four contiguous stereogenic centers, including two tetrasubstituted carbon centers. The products were obtained in high yields with good to excellent stereoselectivities (up to 99% yields, 96% ee and >20 : 1 dr). In addition, the spiro[pyrrolidine-2,3'-oxindole]-chromane adducts could be readily derivatized via simple oxidation and reduction treatment. A dual activation working model to illuminate the stereochemical course of the [3 + 2] cycloaddition event is proposed.