Rhodium-catalyzed Michael addition of arylboronic acids to 3-alkylenyloxindoles: asymmetric synthesis of functionalized oxindoles

The rhodium-catalyzed diastereo- and enantioselective Michael addition of arylboronic acids to 3-alkylenyloxindoles has been developed with (R)-binap as a ligand. A wide variety of the desired functionalized oxindoles are smoothly obtained in high yields (up to 99%) with high enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee) and good diastereoselectivities (up to 82:18).