Spirocyclic scaffolds are found in many pharmacologically active natural and synthetic compounds. From time to time, efforts have been made to develop new or better processes for the synthesis of spirocyclic compounds. Spiro [Indole-pyrrolidine] Derivatives are readily synthesized in high to excellent yields by the Michael condensation of 3-dicyanomethylene-2H-indol-2-ones (produced via the Knoevenagel condensation of indole-2,3-dione with malononitrile) with isothiocyanate derivatives under aqueous and mechanochemical conditions. The advantages of this protocol are that the reactions are solvent-free, occur at ambient temperature, require short reaction times, have experimental simplicity, and produce excellent yields. These environmentally friendly reaction media are useful alternatives to volatile organic solvents.
Keywords: 3-dicyanomethylene-2H-indole-2-ones; aqueous media; indole-2,3-diones; isothiocyanates; mechanochemistry; spiro [indole–pyrrolidine.