Diastereodivergent Catalytic Asymmetric Michael Addition of 2-Oxindoles to α,β-Unsaturated Ketones by Chiral Diamine Catalysts.

A diastereodivergent catalytic asymmetric Michael addition of 2-oxindoles to α,β-unsaturated ketones has been successfully developed with two complementary chiral diamine catalysts, affording chiral 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles with two adjacent chiral centers. Diastereodivergence has been realized through modifying substrates and utilizing different catalysts. Either anti-or syn-configured products possessing vicinal quaternary and tertiary stereogenic centers were produced with high enantioselectivities.