Synthesis of α‐Amidoacrylates Containing a 3‐Ylideneoxindole Motif

Both the α‐amidoacrylate and 3‐ylideneooxindole frameworks are important in medicinal chemistry because of their associated biological activities. We report a novel approach to accessing α‐amidoacrylates containing a 3‐ylideneoxindole motif through a novel cascade process involving condensation between 3‐fluorooxindoles and α‐iminoacetates followed by elimination of HF. This protocol has a broad substrate scope: N ‐alkyl‐, N ‐aryl‐, N ‐allyl‐, N ‐propargyl 3‐fluorooxindoles and 3‐fluorooxindoles with different substituents on the aromatic rings were all suitable for this reaction. A plausible reaction pathway is also presented.