An efficient one-pot, three-component synthesis of 6-cyano-hexahydro-4$H$-thieno[3',2':5,6]pyrimido[1,2-$a$]quinoline-2-carboxylates and their spiro derivatives from $\beta $-enaminones

A simple and efficient one-pot synthesis of novel thieno[3',2':5,6]pyrimido[1,2-a]quinoline-2-carboxylates (5a-d) and their spirooxindole derivatives (12a-d) was accomplished. Thus, the Michael addition reaction of the cyclic $\beta $-enaminone 3 with the corresponding $\alpha ,\beta $-unsaturated nitrile derivatives 4a-d in refluxing EtOH in the presence of piperidine afforded 5a-d in good yields. On the other hand, spirooxindole derivatives 12a-d were synthesized by the reaction of cyclic $\beta $-enaminone 3 with the corresponding 3-cyanomethylidene-2-oxoindoles 11a-d in refluxing EtOH.