Recent Developments in the Stereoselective Synthesis of Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles using N-Acylimines as Reactive Substrates

This report focuses on the utilization of Nacylimines in addition reactions aimed at the preparation of heterocyclic compounds. These can be directly obtained by reaction of N-acylimines with suitable nucleophilic reagents or prepared by further elaboration of the initially formed adducts. The asymmetric synthesis of these hetero- and polyheterocyclic derivatives is mostly achieved using chiral catalyzed reactions, including the recently introduced enantioselective Biginelli reaction. Applications of isatin ketimines to the stereoselective preparation of biologically active spiroxindole compounds are also reported.