Stereoselective Synthesis of ()-3-Alkylideneoxindoles Gold(I)-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of 3-Diazooxindoles with Diazoesters.

A versatile gold(I)-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 3-diazooxindoles with diazoesters has been presented, affording ()-3-alkylideneoxindoles stereoselectively. Density functional theory calculations rationalized the chemo- and stereoselectivity of the reaction, which was in good agreement with experimental observations. In addition, ()-3-alkylideneoxindoles were converted into their ()-isomers under UV-irradiation facilely, indicating the great advantage of this approach in stereoselective synthesis of both ()- and ()-3-alkylideneoxindoles.