Novel catalytic synthesis of 6,7-dimethoxyisatin with the use of heteropolyacids (HPAs) as acid solid catalyst

An efficient method for the preparation of 6,7-dimethoxyisatin and its derivatives was developed with good yield by using Preyssler-type heteropolyacid (HPA) as acid catalyst under green conditions. The comparison between Keggin type heteropolyacids, H3[PW12O40], H4[SiW12O40] and H4[SiMo12O40], H3[PMo12O40] and mineral acids with Preyssler's anion shows that the latter possess better catalytical activity than the other heteropolyacids and no degradation of the structure was observed.