DABCO-catalyzed synthesis of 3-substituted-3-hydroxyindolin-2-ones in aqueous media

An efficient and greener protocol for easy access to 3-susbstituted-3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles by the reaction with various substituted isatins and acetophenones is described. This protocol is widely applicable for a variety of isatins and acetophenones using water as a reaction media and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) as catalyst with shorter reaction time and good to excellent yield of products.