In vivo cardiotonic activity of pyridylmethylene-2-indolinones

The synthesis of 5-chloro-3-pyridylmethylene-2-indolinone is reported. This compound was subjected to an in vivo cardiotonic assay with 10 analogs whose synthesis and in vitro cardiotonic activity were previously reported. All the compounds tested (except the 5-hydroxyindole derivative) showed significant positive inotropic activity. The 3-pyridyl derivative without substituents at the indole system was the most active of the whole series.