Diastereo- and enantioselective [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates of isatins with N-phenylmaleimide catalyzed by Me-DuPhos.

A Me-DuPhos-catalyzed efficient asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction between Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates of isatins and N-phenylmaleimide has been developed. This reaction constructs three chiral centers in one step to afford spirocyclopentaneoxindoles in good yields (up to 84%) with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivies (up to 99% ee).