Isatin
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200 °C, 473 K, 392 °F
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox disclaimer and references
Isatin or 1H-indole-2,3-dione is an indole derivative. The compound was first obtained by Erdman[1] and Laurent[2] in 1841 as a product from the oxidation of Indigo dye by nitric acid and chromic acids. The compound is found in many plants.
Schiff bases of Isatin are investigated for their pharmaceutical properties .[3]
It was observed that isatin forms a blue dye if it is mixed with sulfuric acid and crude benzene. The formation of the blue indophenin was long believed to be a reaction with benzene. Victor Meyer was able to isolate the substance responsible for this reaction from benzene. This new heterocyclic compound was thiophene.[4]
[edit] Preparation
Isatin is commercially available. It may be prepared from cyclicizing the condensation product of chloral hydrate, aniline and hydroxylamine in sulfuric acid:[5]
Isatins can be made from the corresponding indole in good yield by a mix of InCl3 and IBX in a acetonitrile-water solution at 80 °C.[6]
