Abstract

Background: We describe herein a convenient one-pot, microwave-assisted methodology for the synthesis of dihydrospiro[indeno[1,2-b]quinoline-10,3'-indole]-2',4',11(1'H,5H,5'H)-trione derivatives from enaminones, isatins and indane-1,3-dione under catalyst-free condition.

Method: The advantages of this microwave-assisted protocol are simplicity, rapidity, high yielding and environmentally benign procedure.

Result: In addition, one of the most important aspects is that all the compounds were isolated in good to excellent yields without the need for any chromatographic separations.

Conclusion: Microwave-assisted synthesis has become a mainstream method in both academia and industry, because of the commercially availability of instruments which reduces dramatically the reaction times: from days and hours to minutes and seconds. Here, we have successfully developed an effective, rapid, clean and most importantly, environmentally benign three component one pot methodology using catalyst-free micro-wave irradiation.

Keywords: Catalyst-free, chromatography-free procedure, environmental friendly, microwave-assisted, multicomponent protocols, one-pot synthesis, spirocyclic compounds, three-component reaction.

Graphical Abstract