Synthesis of novel bis(spirocyclic-2-oxindole)-tethered 10b-azachrysene or 10a-azaphenanthrene systems via a Hantzsch-like reaction

The effective synthesis of bis(spirocyclic-2-oxindole) tethered to 10b-azachrysene or 10a-azaphenanthrene moieties via the Hantzsch-like reaction of phenylenebis(methylene))bis(indoline-2,3-diones) and 2-(6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-yl)acetonitrile with either 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione or 3-aminocrotononitrile in acetic acid at reflux is reported. [Display omitted] •Hantzsch-like reaction.•Utility of phenylenebis(methylene))bis(indoline-2,3-diones) and 2-(6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-yl)acetonitrile as precursors.•Synthesis of bis(spirocyclic-2-oxindole) tethered to 10b-azachrysene moiety.•Synthesis of bis(spirocyclic-2-oxindole) tethered to 10a-azaphenanthrene moiety.