An expedient synthesis of ferrocene grafted spirooxindolopyrrolizidines via [3+2]-cycloaddition of azomethine ylides

A facile and rapid one-pot synthesis of ferrocene bearing novel spiropyrrolizidines has been accomplished by [3+2]-cycloaddition reaction of various azomethine ylides derived from isatin/5,7-dibromoisatin and l-proline with various ferrocene derivatives as dipolarophile in good yield. The protocol is general and applicable to a wide variety of ferrocenyl derived dipolarophiles. Effect of various solvents on [3+2]-dipolar cycloaddition reaction is also studied.