The study of the reactivity of a series of isatin-1-acet-amides with hot alkoxides is described. These reactions lead to 1,4-dihydro-3-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-quinolinecarboxamides as main products, and 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles as well as other minor products. Experimental results indicate that the starting compounds undergo transformation through two principal routes: ring expansion of isa-tin leading to quinoline