Microwave-promoted efficient synthesis of spiroindenotetrahydropyridine derivatives via a catalyst- and solvent-free pseudo one-pot five-component tandem Knoevenagel/aza-Diels–Alder reaction

A microwave-assisted, one-pot pseudo five-component reaction strategy has been developed for the synthesis of some novel spiroindenotetrahydropyridine derivatives from 1,3-indanedione, an aromatic aldehyde, and ammonium acetate under catalyst- and solvent-free conditions via tandem Knoevenagel/aza-Diels–Alder reaction.