Organocatalytic asymmetric conjugate additions of oxindoles and benzofuranones to cyclic enones

The asymmetric catalytic synthesis of densely functionalized molecules that contain vicinal quaternary and tertiary stereocenters is a challenge for modern chemical methodology. Here we show that a chiral primary amine, derived from natural molecules, efficiently catalyzes the stereoselective conjugate addition of oxindoles to cyclic enones, leading directly to valuable chiral scaffolds. Proof-of-concept for extending the method to benzofuranone derivatives is also provided.