Synthesis of (2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)methyl acetates involving a C-H functionalization process.

A novel palladium-catalyzed oxidative C-H functionalization protocol for the synthesis of (2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)methyl acetates has been developed. In the presence of Pd(OAc)2 and PhI(OAc)2, a variety of N-arylpropiolamides underwent the C-H functionalization reaction with acids to afford the corresponding (E)-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)methyl acetates selectively in moderate to excellent yields.