The study of the reactivity of a series of isatin-1-acetamides with hot alkoxides
is described. These reactions lead to 1,4-dihydro-3-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-quinolinecarboxamides
as main products, and 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles as well as other minor products. Experimental
results indicate that the starting compounds undergo transformation through two principal
routes: ring expansion of isatin leading to quinoline carboxamides, probably as the
result of a ring-opening and ring-closure rearrangement, and reduction of the keto
carbonyl group due to the reductive ability of alkoxides.
4-quinolinones - isatin - alkylation - rearrangement - reduction