Construction of spiro[pyrrolidine-3,3′-oxindoles] -: Recent applications to the synthesis of oxindole alkaloids

The spiro[pyrrolidine-3,3'-oxindole] ring system is found at the core of a number of alkaloids, which possess significant biological activity and are interesting, challenging targets for chemical synthesis. In the present review, we report on the different strategies for the synthesis of the spiro[pyrrolidine-3,3'-oxindole] ring system in the context of recent synthesis of coerulescine, horsfiline, elacomine, salacin, pteropodine, alstonisine, spirotryprostatin A and B, and strychnofoline. ((C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003).