Regioselective synthesis of 3-anthracenyloxindoles and 3-carbazolyloxindoles by indium(iii)-catalyzed direct arylation and their fluorescent chemosensor properties.

An efficient, facile and regioselective strategy was developed for the construction of diverse 3-anthracenyloxindoles and 3-carbazolyloxindoles via In(OTf)3-catalyzed direct arylation reaction of 3-diazooxindoles with anthracenes or carbazoles. This novel methodology involved new C-C bond formation between oxindoles and anthracenes or carbazoles. The fluorescence response of the synthesized compounds to heavy metal ions was also investigated.