Base-promoted cascade vinylogous Michael/Michael addition of alkylidene succinimides for the construction of penta-substituted cyclopentanes

Herein, an efficient, base catalyzed cascade vinylogous Michael/Michael cycloaddition reaction of α-alkylidene succinimides and oxindole-derived pyrazolones has been successfully developed. A variety of highly functionalized cyclopentanes fused with spirooxindoles were obtained in good yields, with excellent diastereoselectivities and exclusive vinylogous site-selectivities. This strategy represents the first example of α-alkylidene succinimides serving as nucleophilic reagents to trigger a vinylogous cascade reaction. A base-catalyzed cascade vinylogous Michael/Michael addition of alkylidene succinimides and oxindole-derived pyrazolones has been developed for the construction of penta-substituted cyclopentanes.