Efficient synthesis of N-butadiene substituted oxindole derivatives1

A novel rhodium(iii)-catalyzed amide carbonyl group directed alkenylation reaction between oxindoles and alkenes has been reported, which provides an efficient method for the synthesis of valuable and versatile functionalized N-(2E,4Z)-butadiene substituted oxindole derivatives. Oxindoles as novel directing groups have been well applied in this paper.