Synthesis of substituted tryptanthrins via oxidation of isatin and its derivatives

Oxidation of isatin and its 5-substituted analogs with potassium permanganate in anhydrous acetonitrile gave indolo[2,1-b]quinazoline-6,12-dione (tryptanthrin) and its 2,8-dimethyl-, 2,8-dibromo-, and 2,8-diiodo derivatives. Oxidative coupling of 5,7-dichloroisatin with isatin under analogous conditions afforded 2,4-dichloroindolo[2,1-b]quinazoline-6,12-dione, while 1,4-dichloroindolo[2,1-b]quinazoline-6,12-dione and 1,4-dichloro-8-methylindolo[2,1-b]quinazoline-6,12-dione were obtained by oxidative coupling of 4,7-dichloroisatin with isatin and 5-methylisatin, respectively.