Direct alkenylation of indolin-2-ones by 6-aryl-4-methylthio-2H-pyran-2-one-3-carbonitriles: a novel approach

A direct one-pot base-induced alkenylation of indolin-2-ones has been developed by using 6-aryl-4-methylthio-2H-pyran-2-one-3-carbonitriles. Different bases such as MeONa, NaH and t-BuONa have been used to optimize the reaction conditions to obtain the desired product. NaH in THF was found to be the most suitable for the alkenylation of indolin-2-ones. Reaction in the presence of other bases led to the formation of 1-aryl-3-methoxy/methylthio-5H-dibenzo[d,f][1,3]diazepin-6(7H)-ones. Quantum chemical calculations have been performed to explain the nature of the weak noncovalent interactions operating in the supramolecular architectures of alkenylated indoline-2-ones and to explain the relative stability of one of the tautomers with respect to the others.