N-substituted oxindoles were obtained through a facile KOH/DMSO promoted intramolecular cyclization of o-bromophenylacetamides in good yields. Furthermore, isoindigo derivatives were readily synthesized through sequential intramolecular cyclization, oxidation and condensation of o-bromophenylacetamide in the presence of copper (II) acetate monohydrate, iodobenzene diacetate and KOH/DMSO. This method