Sodium stearate-catalyzed multicomponent reactions for efficient synthesis of spirooxindoles in aqueous micellar media

A new type of Lewis base-surfactant-combined catalyst (LBSC), sodium stearate, was applied as a catalyst in three-component one-pot reaction involving isatin, malononitrile, and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to afford the corresponding spirooxindoles derivatives in good yields (91-97%) under aqueous micellar media. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.