A novel reaction of the ‘Huisgen zwitterion’ with benzofuran-2,3-diones: an efficient strategy for the synthesis of spirocyclic benzofuran-2-one derivatives

The nitrogen-based nucleophile generated from azodicarboxylate and triphenylphosphine displayed good reactivity toward benzofuran-2,3-diones to generate a variety of spirocyclic benzofuran-2-one derivatives. The reactions accommodate a number of benzofuran-2,3-diones and different dialkylazodicarboxylates to give the enriched functionalized 3-spirooxadiazole benzofuran-2-ones with moderate to good yields (up to 93%).