To a cooled (-5° C.) suspension of isatin (8.85 g, 0.0602 mol), and methyl 3-phenylpropionate (9.88 g, 0.0602 mol) in 220 mL of dry tetrahydrofuran under a nitrogen atmosphere was added lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) (75 mL, 0.1275 mol of a 1.72M solution) over a 11/2 hour period. The reaction mixture was stirred at -5° C. for one hour and then poured into a cooled (0° to 5° C.) solution of toluene (140 mL), and acetic acid (30.6 g, 0.51 mol, 300% excess) over a 1/2 hour period under a nitrogen atmosphere. The transfer was completed with a 200 mL water wash.
