Versatile synthesis of oxindole-1,3-dicarboxamides

A new, high-yielding synthesis of oxindole-1,3-dicarboxamides was elaborated starting from 1-phenoxycarbonyl-3-ethoxycarbonyl-2-oxindole and 1,3-diphenoxycarbonyl-2-oxindole. This method permits also the preparation of N,N,N′-tri- and N,N,N′,N′-tetrasubstituted oxidole-1,3-dicarboxamides, families of compounds that are unknown in the literature. The scope and limitations of the methodology have also been investigated, and a remarkable selectivity has been observed among the amines used in the amidation steps.