Efficient synthesis of multicyclic spirooxindoles via a cascade Michael/Michael/oxa-Michael reaction of curcumins and isatylidene malononitriles.

A cascade Michael/Michael/oxa-Michael reaction between curcumins and isatylidene malononitriles has been developed. Multicyclic spirooxindoles were prepared in excellent yields and diastereoselectivities. DMAP was found to catalyze this transformation efficiently under mild reaction conditions.