Highly enantioselective fluorination of unprotected 3-substituted oxindoles: one-step synthesis of BMS 204352 (MaxiPost).

The catalytic enantioselective fluorination of N-H-free 3-substituted oxindoles was accomplished by a Sc(III)/N,N'-dioxide complex. Under mild reaction conditions, a series of 3-aryl- and 3-alkyl-3-fluoro-2-oxindoles were obtained in excellent yields (up to 98%) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) by using N-fluorobisbenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) as the fluorination agent. MaxiPost was synthesized efficiently in 81% yield with 96% ee.