Synthesis of a novel dispiroheterocyclic framework via the regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides

2-Arylidene-1,3-indanediones undergo regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with the azomethine ylide generated from acenaphthenequinone and sarcosine to afford a rare class of complex dispiropyrrolidines in good yield. Single-crystal X-ray crystal analysis of one of the products confirms the structure and regio-chemistry of the cycloaddition.