Synthesis of N-alkoxycarbonyl ketimines derived from isatins and their application in enantioselective synthesis of 3-aminooxindoles.

A simple and general method in the synthesis of N-alkoxycarbonyl ketimines derived from isatins has been described first. Generally, the enantioselective addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to this kind of ketimine affords chiral 3-amino oxindoles in high yield and excellent ee.