Tri( n -butyl)phosphine-promoted domino reaction for the efficient construction of spiro[cyclohexane-1,3'-indolines] and spiro[indoline-3,2'-furan-3',3''-indolines].

The tri( n -butyl)phosphine-catalyzed reaction of isatylidene malononitriles and bis-chalcones in chloroform at 65 °C afforded functionalized spiro[cyclohexane-1,3'-indolines] in good yields and with good diastereoselectivity. On the other hand, the tri( n -butyl)phosphine-catalyzed reaction of 3-(ethoxycarbonylmethylene)oxindoles and bis-chalcones gave functionalized spiro[cyclohexane-1,3'-indolines] with different regioselectivity. Additionally, the tri( n -butyl)phosphine-promoted domino annulation reaction of isatins and ethyl isatylidene cyanoacetates produced spiro[indoline-3,2'-furan-3',3''-indolines] in satisfactory yields.