The catalytic, highly regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective synthesis of a small library of chiral spirooxindolopyrrolizidines via a three-component 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides, derived from isatin, with electron-deficient dipolarophiles, 3-(2-alkenoy1)-1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones, is described. A chiral copper(II) complex of cyclohexane-1,2-bis(arylmethyleneamine) catalyzed this process at room temperature. The reaction mechanism is discussed on the basis of the assignment of the absolute configuration of the cycloadducts. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.