Recent progress in enantioselective synthesis of C3-functionalized oxindoles: rare earth metals take action

The enantioselective synthesis of 3-functionalized oxindole derivatives has experienced an explosive development. This minireview introduces the recent application of rare earth (RE) metal complex catalysts in the synthesis of targeted frameworks. The direct addition reactions of 3-substituted oxindoles or isatins are described, together with a discussion of the catalytic mechanism and related transformations to pharmaceuticals. This minireview summarizes the recent contributions to several CC, CN and CO bond-forming reactions in this field and related transformations by the employment of rare earth metals.