Cp2ZrCl2-induced Reformatsky and Barbier reactions on isatins: an efficient synthesis of 3-substituted-3-hydroxyindolin-2-ones

A mild and rapid one-pot process for Reformatsky and Barbier reactions using a catalytic quantity of zirconocene dichloride (Cp2ZrCl2) as a promoter and zinc as a terminal reductant at room temperature in dimethyl formamide was developed. The protocol has wide substrate suitability and afforded the desired 3-substituted-3-hydroxyindolin-2-ones from istains in good yields and short reaction time. Copyright (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.