A simple,efficient, two-step synthesis of symmetric 2,7-dialkyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]nonanes

A two-step synthesis of symmetric 2,7-dialkyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]nonanes has been achieved by double Michael addition of nitromethane with two moles of enones on Amberlyst A21, followed by in situ reduction with sodium borohydride, then spontaneous spiroketalization of the obtained nitrodiol, by the Nef reaction under acidic conditions, affords the title compounds in good yields.