The York Research Database

Abstract The synthesis of bis-oxindoles via the copper(II)-mediated double cyclisation of linear bis-anilides is described. Cu(OAc)<inf>2</inf>·H<inf>2</inf>O was identified as an efficient and inexpensive catalyst for this process. In contrast to previous methods, which rely on the synthesis of the central core from existing oxindole building blocks, this new approach focusses on concurrent formation of both oxindole rings from a simple linear precursor, allowing the formation of bis-oxindoles containing a diverse range of cyclic and acyclic linkers using a single synthetic method.