An efficient stereoselective synthesis of 3-spirocyclopentene- and 3-spiropyrazole-2-oxindoles via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction.

The chemistry phosphorus and sulfur ylides have been exploited for a facile, short and efficient synthesis of 3-spirocyclopentene- and 3-spiropyrazole-2-oxindoles from E- and Z-isomers of bromo derivatives of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts of isatin with Ph(3)P/activated alkene/K(2)CO(3) and Me(2)S/DEAD/K(2)CO(3), respectively, via [3 + 2]-annulation strategy.