An efficient, one-pot, base- and catalyst-free three-component pathway is described for the
synthesis of novel spiro-[1,8]-naphthyridine derivatives by the condensation reaction between
acenaphthenequinone/ninhydrin, malononitrile dimer, and enaminones in ethanol at reflux
conditions. In addition, five new propellane derivatives were also synthesized via the same
protocol when malono derivatives was used instead of enaminones. All the products were
precipitated in the reaction medium and no additional operation was required for their purification
except that, in some cases, recrystallization was used. Identification of products was done by the
recorded of their 1H. and 13C.NMR, FT.IR spectra and elemental analysis as well as melting
points.