Facile synthesis of 3H,3′H-spiro[benzofuran-2,1′-isoindole]-3,3′-diones using monobromomalononitrile (MBM) as an efficient organo-brominating agent

An efficient methodology for the synthesis of 3H,3′H-spiro[benzofuran-2,1′-isoindole]-3,3′-diones has been developed where monobromomalononitrile (MBM) has been employed as a non-hazardous brominating agent under ambient reaction condition. The intrinsic advantages of the methodology are the utilization of simple and easily available starting materials and non-toxic reagents, operational simplicity, and good yields of the products with high atom-economy.