Palladium-Catalyzed Tandem Approach to 3-(Diarylmethylene)oxindoles Using Microwave Irradiation.

We developed a rapid and efficient microwave-assisted tandem reaction for the synthesis of 3-(diarylmethylene)oxindoles. Three palladium-catalyzed reactions (Sonogashira, Heck, and Suzuki–Miyaura reactions) were combined under microwave irradiation conditions to produce 3-(diarylmethylene)oxindoles from simple propiolamides, aryl iodides, and arylboronic acids. The addition of Ag 3 PO 4 enhanced the yield and stereoselectivity of the tandem reaction significantly.