Copper-catalyzed enantioselective Mannich reaction between N-acylpyrazoles and isatin-derived ketimines

A copper-catalyzed enantioselective Mannich reaction between N-acylpyrazoles and isatin-derivd ketimines is developed. With 5 mol% Cu(CH3CN)4PF6 complexed with 6 mol% chiral amidophosphine ligand L8, 3-substituted 3-amino-2-oxindoles with contiguous stereocenters were produced in 92-99% yields with excellent diastereoselectivities (97:3 to 99:1 dr) and 94-99% ee under mild conditions.