A tandem sequence involving Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) olefination followed by a palladium-catalysed intramolecular Heck reaction has been developed to provide rapid access to 3-alkenyl-oxindoles from α-halo-anilides. This one-pot microwave accelerated process proceeds with catalytic palladium (II) acetate or tetrakis (triphenylphosphine) palladium, and has been used to prepare a range of adducts derived from aromatic, ...