Catalytic Enantioselective Decarboxylative Mannich-Type Reaction of N-Unprotected Isatin-Derived Ketimines.

The first catalytic enantioselective decarboxylative Mannich-type reaction of N-unprotected ketimines is reported, directly providing N-unprotected 3-tetrasubstituted 3-aminooxindoles in high yield and ee without protection/deprotection steps. The utility of this reaction is demonstrated in the short step synthesis of (+)-AG-041R.