Enantioselective Alkylation of 2-Oxindoles Catalyzed by a Bifunctional Phase-Transfer Catalyst: Synthesis of (-)-Debromoflustramine B.

A new bifunctional phase-transfer catalyst that employs hydrogen bonding as a control element was developed to promote efficient enantioselective SN 2 reactions for the construction all-carbon quaternary stereocenters in high yield and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 97 % ee) utilizing the alkylation of a malleable oxindole substrate. The utility of the methodology was demonstrated through a concise and highly enantioselective synthesis of (-)-debromoflustramine B.