The synthesis of pharmacologically important oxindoles via the asymmetric aldol reaction of isatin and the investigation of the organocatalytic activity of new alicyclic β-amino acid derivatives

• Published in: RSC advances 2023-06, Vol.13 (28), p.19356-19365
• Main Authors: Faragó, Tünde, Remete, Attila M, Szatmári, István, Ambrus, Rita, Palkó, Márta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aldehydes; Amino acids; Chemistry; Enantiomers; Substrates; Synthesis
• ISSN: 2046-2069; 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/d3ra03528j

This work involves the synthesis and subsequent development of a number of novel organocatalysts generated from β-amino acids bearing and norbornene skeletons to improve their catalytic characteristics. The aldol reaction between isatin and acetone selected as the model reaction, was used to test and study enantioselectivities. The potential impact on enantioselectivity control regarding enantiomeric excess (ee%) was probed by varying the reaction parameters, such as additive, solvent, catalyst loading, temperature and substrate range. The corresponding 3-hydroxy-3-alkyl-2-oxindole derivetives were produced by organocatalyst 7 with good enantioselectivity up to 57% ee in the presence of LiOH. Substrate screening was used to investigate a number of substituted isatins with excellent findings up to 99% ee. Another aspect of this effort involved employing high-speed ball mill apparatus to conduct a mechanochemical study to make this model reaction more environmentally benign and sustainable.