molecules Article Asymmetric Synthesis of Spirooxindoles via Nucleophilic Epoxidation Promoted by Bifunctional Organocatalysts Martina Miceli 1, Andrea Mazziotta 1, Chiara Palumbo 1, Elia Roma 1, Eleonora Tosi 1, Giovanna Longhi 2 ID , Sergio Abbate 2, Paolo Lupattelli 3, Giuseppe Mazzeo 2 ID and Tecla Gasperi 1,* ID 1 Dipartimento di Scienze- Sezione di Nanoscienze e Nanotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Roma Tre, V.le G. Marconi 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy;
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[email protected]; Tel.: +39-3386711045 Received: 5 February 2018; Accepted: 12 February 2018; Published: 16 February 2018 Abstract: Taking into account the postulated reaction mechanism for the organocatalytic epoxidation of electron-poor olefins developed by our laboratory, we have investigated the key factors able to positively influence the H-bond network installed inside the substrate/catalyst/oxidizing agent. With this aim, we have: (i) tested a few catalysts displaying various effects that noticeably differ in terms of steric hindrance and electron demand; (ii) employed α-alkylidene oxindoles decorated with different substituents on the aromatic ring (11a–g), the exocylic double bond (11h–l), and the amide moiety (11m–v).