Pfitzinger Reaction

Abstract

The base‐promoted condensation between an enolizable carbonyl compound and isatinate originating from isatin to form 2‐ or 2,3‐disubstituted quinoline or cinchoninic acid derivative is generally referred to as the Pfitzinger reaction. Various enolizable carbonyl compounds and isatins have been suggested, which can be used for this reaction. The study finds that The ketones with a general form of ArC(O)CH 2 Aŕ don't undergo this reaction if Aŕ carries a large ortho ‐substituent, even when Aŕ carries two small methyl groups. This reaction has been modified to occur under acidic and microwave irradiation. This reaction has been broadly applied in the preparation of quinoline derivatives.