Highly efficient and regioselective synthesis of spirooxindolo pyrrolizidines by reaction of isatin, proline and acrylonitrile/methyl acrylate in water

A simple, ecofriendly and regioselective three-component condensation of nonstabilzed azomethine ylides generated in situ from isatins and l-proline with acrylonitrile/methyl acrylate to give spirooxindolo pyrrolizidines has been realized. The reaction highlights the use of water as a reaction medium with good to excellent yields of products from readily available precursors.