New Routes to Oxindole Derivatives

Summary. A new, practical synthesis of the antirheumatic oxindole derivative, tenidap, has been elaborated. The new approach has initiated studies on the mechanism of the acylation reactions of oxindoles. Methods have been developed for the synthesis of 1-[alkoxy(or aryloxy)carbonyl]- and 1,3-di[alkoxy(or aryloxy)carbonyl]oxindoles starting from oxindoles. The route designed for tenidap has provided a facile access to several analogues, too.On another front, new reaction conditions are described, which turn Wenkerts synthesis of 3-alkyloxindoles (by Raney nickel induced alkylation of oxindoles with alcohols) into a highly efficient synthetic tool. The method has been extended to the synthesis of 3-alkyloxindoles from isatins and to the preparation of 3-(-hydroxyalkyl)oxindoles from oxindoles and isatins.