Enantioselective addition of oxindoles to aliphatic α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

A highly enantioselective organocatalytic oxindole addition to alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes is reported. The reaction is catalyzed by simple and commercially available chiral secondary amines, affording the corresponding adducts with good yields and with moderate diastereoselectivities. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.