1-H-Indole-2,3-dione derivatives and preparation thereof

1-R1-4- or 5-[4-pyridinyl-(CH2)n]-1H-indole-2,3-dione 3-Q derivatives, useful as cardiotonics, bronchodilators, anti-asthmatics, anti-allergics and anti-cholinergics, are prepared by cyclization of an N-(3- or 4-[4-pyridinyl(CH2)n]phenyl)-glyoxalamide oxime with acid; reaction of the product thus obtained with a carbonyl reactive reagent to prepare a compound where Q is other than O; and reaction of a compound where Q is either O or other than O with a lower-alkyl, hydroxy-lower-alkyl or di-lower-alkylamino-lower-alkyl ester of a strong mineral acid or with a carbo-lower-alkoxy-lower-alkyl halide to prepare compounds where R1 is other than hydrogen.