Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Propargylic Alkylation with Oxindoles: Diastereo- and Enantioselective Construction of Vicinal Tertiary and All-Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters.

A copper-catalyzed asymmetric propargylic alkylation of propargylic acetates with 3-substituted oxindoles for the stereoselective construction of vicinal tertiary and all-carbon quaternary stereocenters in a 3,3-disubstituted oxindole skeleton has been realized. The reaction proceeded smoothly under the catalysis of Cu(MeCN)4PF6 combined with a chiral tridentate ferrocenyl P,N,N ligand, leading to a broad range of optically active 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles in high yields and with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities.