The catalytic asymmetric synthesis of CF3-containing spiro-oxindole–pyrrolidine–pyrazolone compounds through squaramide-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition

Pharmaceutically important compounds were synthesized through the organocatalytic 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction. In the presence of a cinchonine-derived squaramide catalyst, the cycloaddition of N-2,2,2-trifluoroethylisatin ketimines with alpha,beta-unsaturated pyrazolones gave a spiro-pyrrolidine-linked oxindole and pyrazolone compound bearing four consecutive stereocenters and two vicinal spiroquaternary chiral centers, in excellent yields and stereoselectivities.