Diastereoselective synthesis of strained spiro-cyclopropanooxindoles from cyclic diazoamides

Reaction of cyclic diazoamides and cyclic olefins or heteroaromatic systems using copper(I) triflate as a catalyst furnished a variety of strained spiro-cyclopropanooxindoles in a diastereoselective manner under mild reaction conditions. The effect of copper(I) trifiate and rhodium(II) acetate catalysts on the cyclopropanation was also studied. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.