A green synthesis of isatoic anhydrides from isatins with urea-hydrogen peroxide complex and ultrasound
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Synthesis of Esters Via a Greener Steglich Esterification in Acetonitrile
Published on: October 30, 2018
Todor Deligeorgiev1, Aleksey Vasilev1, Juan J Vaquero2
1University of Sofia, Faculty of Chemistry, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria.
Abstract:
The oxidation of isatins at room temperature, using the cheap and environmentally friendly urea-hydrogen peroxide complex and ultrasonic irradiation, has been investigated. The ultrasonic irradiation dramatically reduces the reaction time. With easy and reproducible reaction procedures, different isatoic anhydrides were obtained in excellent yield and with high purity.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation of Amides
The DCC-promoted synthesis of amides begins with the protonation of DCC by carboxylic acid. The protonation makes it a better acceptor. Next, the addition of carboxylate to the protonated carbodiimide gives a reactive acylating agent.
Subsequently, the amine acts as a nucleophile that attacks the acylating agent to form a tetrahedral intermediate. In the...
Aldehydes and Ketones with Amines: Imine Formation Mechanism
Imines are formed under mildly acidic conditions. A pH of 4.5 is ideal for the reaction.
If the pH is low or the solution is too acidic, the reaction slows down in the...
Preparation of 1° Amines: Gabriel Synthesis
Strong bases like NaOH or KOH deprotonate the phthalimide to form the corresponding anion, which acts as a nucleophile. Further, the anion attacks an...
Alkylation of β-Ketoester Enolates: Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis
Preparation of 1° Amines: Azide Synthesis
Azide ions act as good nucleophiles and react with unhindered alkyl halides to form alkyl azides. Alkyl azides do not participate in further nucleophilic substitution reactions, thereby eliminating the chances of polyalkylated products. Alkyl azides are reduced by hydride-based reducing agents, like lithium aluminum...
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis
During hydrolysis, the ester is first activated towards nucleophilic attack through the protonation of the carboxyl oxygen atom by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the ester carbonyl carbon more electrophilic. In the next step, water acts as a nucleophile and adds to the...

