Two approaches toward the regio- and stereoselective synthesis of N -unsubstituted 3-aryl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-4 H -spiro-[chromeno[3,4- c ]pyrrolidine-1,3'-oxindoles]

regio- and stereoselective method for the synthesis of N -unsubstituted 3-aryl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-4 H -spiro[chromeno[3,4- c ]-pyrrolidine-1,3'-oxindoles] in 24–79% yields, based on the three-component reaction of 3-nitro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2 H -chromenes with azomethine ylides generated in situ from benzylamines and isatins by refluxing in CH 2 Cl 2 for 24 h has been developed. 3-Phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-4 H -spiro[chromeno[3,4- c ]pyrrolidine-1,3'-oxindoles] were obtained in 36–71% yields via the three-component reaction of 3-nitro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2 H -chromene, isatins, and L-phenylglycine proceeding in EtOH at 60°C for 5 h. The resulting compounds exhibited cytotoxic activity against human cervical cancer HeLa cells in the micromolar concentration range.