Dioxindole in asymmetric catalytic synthesis: direct access to 3-substituted 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles via 1,4-additions to nitroalkenes.

The asymmetric Michael addition of dioxindoles to ß-substituted nitroalkenes is reported. The bifunctional primary amine-thiourea A, by means of a non-covalent-based mode of catalysis, secures direct access to 3-substituted 3-hydroxyoxindole derivatives with high stereocontrol.