A Convenient Way to Quinoxaline Derivatives through the Reaction of 2-(3-Oxoindolin-2-yl)-2-phenylacetonitriles with Benzene-1,2-diamines

Microwave-assisted reaction between 2-(3-oxoindolin-2-yl)-2-phenylacetonitriles andbenzene-1,2-diamines leads to the high-yielding formation of the corresponding quinoxalines as sole, easily isolaable products. The featured transformation involves unusual extrusion of phenylacetonitrile molecule and could be performed in a short sequence starting from commonly available indoles and nitroolefins.

Automated summary

Microwave-assisted reaction between 2-(3-oxoindolin-2-yl)-2-phenylacetonitriles and benzene-1,2-diamines leads to the formation of high-yielding quinoxalines as the sole, easily isolatable products. The transformation involves the unusual extrusion of a phenylacetonitrile molecule and can be performed efficiently using readily available indoles and nitroolefins.