Synthesis of enantiomerically enriched 3-amino-2-oxindoles through a palladium-mediated asymmetric intramolecular arylation of α-ketimino amides.

A highly efficient and enantioselective synthesis of 3-amino-2-oxindoles through a palladium-catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular arylation of α-ketimino amides using (R)-DiFluorPhos as the coordinating ligand is reported. This report constitutes the first enantioselective palladium-catalyzed arylation of ketimines.