Facile synthesis of 3,3-di(heteroaryl)indolin-2-one derivatives catalyzed by ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) under ultrasound irradiation

Ceric ammonium nitrate efficiently catalyzes the reaction of isatin with indoles under sonic waves to afford symmetrical 3,3-di(indolyl)indolin-2-ones in excellent yields, as well as the reaction of 3-hydroxy-3-indolylindolin-2-ones with indoles, pyrrole to afford the corresponding adducts in excellent yields, which provides an efficient route to the synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical 3,3-di(indolyl)indolin-2-one derivatives, respectively.