Organocatalyzed enantioselective decarboxylative stereoablation reaction for the construction of 3,3'-disubstituted oxindoles using β-ketoacids and 3-halooxindoles.

An unprecedented method for the construction of optically active 3,3'-disubstituted oxindoles via an organocatalyzed decarboxylative stereoablation reaction has been developed. We describe the first asymmetric reaction between β-ketoacids and 3-halooxindoles utilizing an organocatalyst. This method allows for the formation of a variety of 3,3'-disubstituted oxindoles bearing a keto-carbonyl group, which are not easily accessible using other methodologies, in moderate to good yields with high enantioselectivities.