Efficient Synthesis of Spiro[diindenopyridine-indoline]triones Catalyzed by PEG-OSO3H-H2O and [NMP]H2PO4

One-pot, three-component synthesis of spirodiindenopyridine-indoline]triones has been reported via the reaction of 1,3-indandione, aromatic amines, and isatins with (PEG-OSO₃H) as an efficient, polymeric acid surfactant–based catalyst in water and also in presence of acidic ionic liquid NMP]H₂PO₄, which acts both as a medium and catalyst under conventional heating and ultrasonic irradiation. The reactions were complete in short reaction times with excellent yield of products. Surfactant-based PEG-OSO₃H could be recycled and reused several times without any significant loss of activity. The compounds exhibit fluorescence in methanol with large Stokes shift.