Condensed tetracyclic systems with an isatin fragment in the molecule
A new method for the synthesis of the dioxodihydro-1H-benzo[b]furoindole heterocyclic systems from the corresponding isomeric amino acids with the amino groups at positions 2 and 3 is described. By this method it is possible not only to obtain the indicated tetracyclic systems in the form of one isomer but also to interconvert them; from the tetracyclic systems with angular structure it is possible to obtain the corresponding isomers with linear structure and vice versa. The classical Sandmeyer reaction served a model for such transformations.