Selectfluor‐Mediated Directing Group and Transition Metal Catalyst‐Free Site‐Selective C7 Fluorination of 2‐Oxindoles

An efficient and site‐selective protocol for synthesizing fluorinated 2‐oxindoles mediated by selectfluor has been developed under metal‐ and additive‐free conditions. A library of C7‐fluorinated 2‐oxindoles were obtained in good to excellent yields. A DFT calculation was performed to understand the reaction mechanism. Furthermore, post functionalizations of fluorinated oxindoles at N‐, O‐, C3‐, C5‐centers and a step economical pathway for the synthesis of WAY‐255348 (drug molecule) have been achieved.