Diastereoselective synthesis of dispirooxindoles via [3+2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylides to 3-phenacylideneoxindoles and evaluation of their cytotoxicity

Abstract

The three-component reaction of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, isatins and 3-phenacylideneoxindoles in refluxing ethanol afforded dispiro[indoline-3,1′-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-3′,3′-indolines] (4a–4x) in good yields via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition.