N-Arylation of isatins with diaryliodonium salts under transition metal-free conditions

Abstract

Substituted isatins exhibit a variety of biological activities and serve as versatile intermediates for accessing diverse medicine-relevant compounds. While N-alkylated isatins are easily obtained through a deprotonation–alkylation sequence, the synthesis of their N-arylated counterparts remains challenging. Herein, we report a new improved method for the N-arylation of isatins with diaryliodonium salts under transition-metal-free conditions. The protocol is scalable, compatible with the most widespread functional groups and applicable to sterically hindered molecules, and may be useful for utilization in medicinal chemistry.