A novel organocatalytic multi-component reaction: an efficient synthesis of polysubstituted pyrano-fused spirooxindoles

A practical, simple, and efficient method for the synthesis of pyrano-fused spirooxindoles via an organocatalytic three-component reaction of isatins, malononitrile, and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate in the presence of 3,4-dimethylaniline as an organocatalyst in ethanol is reported. The structures of these products are confirmed by IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.