An efficient, facile and regioselective strategy was developed for the construction of diverse 3-anthracenyloxindoles and 3-carbazolyloxindoles via In(OTf)3-catalyzed direct arylation reaction of 3-diazooxindoles with anthracenes or carbazoles. This novel methodology involved new C–C bond formation between oxindoles and anthracenes or carbazoles. The fluorescence response of the synthesized compounds to heavy metal ions was also investigated.
