An efficient synthesis of 3-cyano-3-benzoyloxyoxindoles via cyanoacylation of isatins in the presence of 4 إ molecular sieves

In the presence of 4 إ molecular sieves in CH3CN, a process for the cyanobenzoylation and cyanocarbonylation of isatins with benzoycyanides and ethylcyanoformate under mild reaction conditions has been developed. This approach provides easy access to a wide range of 3-cyano-3-benzoyloxyoxindoles and 3-cyano-3-ethoxycarbonyloxyoxindoles in good to excellent yields.