“…Few 3-(thiazol-5-ylidene)indoline-2-one derivatives ( Figure 1 , I ) were reported in the literature [ 26 , 27 ]. To access the required 2-oxoindolylacetonitrile derivatives ( Figure 1 , III ), we decided to explore a new route based on the use of 4,5-dichloro-1,2,3-dithiazolium chloride (Appel’s salt; Scheme 1 , 1 ) [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. We planned on functionalizing the oxindole at the C3 position using Appel’s salt and commercially available oxindoles, and then, on studying the ring opening of original 3-(4-chloro-5 H -1,2,3-dithiazol-5-ylidene)indolin-2-one ( Figure 1 , II ) intermediates with various bases, such as sodium hydride and methyl magnesium bromide, or with triphenylphosphine as a nucleophile.…”