Synthesis of spiroimidazopyridineoxindole, spiropyridopyrimidineoxindole and spiropyridodiazepineoxindole derivatives based on heterocyclic ketene aminals via a four-component reaction.

Here, we have described the synthesis of novel spiropyridineoxindole derivatives containing a pyridone ring via a four-component reaction between various diamines, 1,1-bis(methylthio)-2-nitroethylene, isatin derivatives and Meldrum's acid in the presence of p -toluenesulfonic acid. This protocol has some advantages such as the availability of starting materials, good yields, facile separation of products, the use of ethanol as an environmentally benign solvent and easy formation of three new bonds in one operation.