Studies of the reactions between indole-2,3-diones (isatins) and 2-aminobenzylamine

Reflux of equimolecular amounts 2-aminobenzylamine and isatins in acetic acid produced indolo[3,2-c]quinolin-6-ones in good yields. A proposed mechanism involving initial formation of a spiro compound is given. This isolable intermediate subsequently rearranges via a sequential isocyanate ring opening and a cyclisation process to a urea derivative which finally cyclized to the indolo[3,2-c]quinolin-6-ones. The urea derivative could be prepared separately and cyclized selectively to indolo[3,2-c]quinolin-6-one. Reaction of N-acetylisatin with 2-aminobenzylamine at room temperature yielded the 1,4-benzodiazepinone 3-(2-acetamidophenyl)-1,5-dihydro-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one whereas its isomer 2(2-acetamidophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,4-benzodiazepin-3-one was obtained from 2-(2-acetylaminophenyl)-N-(2-aminobenzyl)-2-oxoacetamide in acetic acid at room temperature.The previously unknown linear isomer of indolo[3,2-c]quinolin-6-one, i.e. indolo[2,3-b]quinolin-11-one, has been prepared by thermal (260°C) cyclization of methyl 2-phenylamino indole-3-carboxylate, which in turn was prepared in two steps from methyl indole-3-carboxylate.