Enantioselective synthesis of 3-hydroxy oxindoles by ytterbium-catalysed decarboxylative addition of β-ketoacids to isatins

A ytterbium(III)-indapybox catalysed enantioselective decarboxylative addition reaction of beta-ketoacids to isatins is described. The biologically important 3-hydroxy oxindoles were obtained in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities.