Spiro[4H‐pyran‐3,3′‐oxindoles] Derived from 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline—Part 2

Reaction of 5,6‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo3,2,1‐ij ]quinoline‐1,2‐dione ( 3 ) with two equivalents of cyclic 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds under acid catalysis generates spiro4H‐pyran‐3,3′‐oxindoles] 7 . In contrast, though base catalysis also achieves double addition, the final products 8 result from subsequent ring opening of the five‐membered lactam via intramolecular attack by enolate; these products can be converted into the spiro4H‐pyran‐3,3′‐oxindoles] by treatment with acid.