A four-component synthesis of novel spiro[pyrazoloquinoline-oxindoles] under solvent-free conditions

A domino reaction for the rapid and diverse synthesis of spiro[1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]benzo[h]dihydroquinolin-4,3-indolin-2-ones] is reported. The synthesis represents a thermodynamically-favored four-component reaction between phenylhydrazine, isatins, naphthylamines, and 3-ketoesters giving the novel products in excellent yields under solvent-free conditions. Similar applications of anilines in place of naphthylamines have not led to formation of the expected 4-substituted pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline derivatives. The difference was ascribed to lower aromatic character of naphthylamines, with respect to anilines, which enables them to act easier as enamines in reaction with the postulated intermediates formed from condensation of isatins and the in situ generated pyrazolones. Surprisingly, 6-aminouracils in despite of their known enamine properties did not participate in reaction with isatins and pyrazolones, the merit of naphthylamines for this synthesis seems to be met by the favorable balance of their N- and C-nucleophilicity.