10.1016/j.tet.2009.01.013
The research presents a straightforward and efficient method for synthesizing spiro[pyrimido[4,5-b]quinoline-5,5-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine] and spiro[indoline-pyrido[2,3-d:6,5-d]dipyrimidine] derivatives through a cyclocondensation reaction of 2,6-diaminopyrimidin-4(3H)-one and isatins in refluxing ethanol. The reaction utilizes a catalytic amount of p-toluene sulfonic acid (p-TSA) as a catalyst and yields the desired spirocyclic compounds in high percentages (ranging from 78% to 90%). The synthesized compounds are characterized using infrared (IR) spectroscopy, proton (1H) and carbon (13C) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis, which confirm their structures and purity. The study also explores the reaction with N-alkylisatins, leading to the formation of different products, and proposes plausible mechanisms for the observed reactions.