Enantioselective construction of a tetrasubstituted stereocenter in isoindolinones via an organocatalyzed reaction between ketones and 3-hydroxyisoindolinones.

An efficient enantioselective reaction between ketones and 3-hydroxyisoindolinones is described. In a reaction catalyzed by a chiral phosphoric acid, a broad range of ketones and in situ generated ketimines afforded isoindolinone derivatives comprising a tetrasubstituted stereocenter in high yields and enantioselectivities. The developed methodology is also suitable for the construction of compounds with vicinal stereogenic centers.