The first example of the cascade assembly of a spirocyclopropane structure: direct transformation of benzylidenemalononitriles and N,N′-dialkylbarbituric acids into substituted 2-aryl-4,6,8-trioxo-5,7-diazaspiro[2.5]octane-1,1-dicarbonitriles

The direct formation of substituted 2-aryl-4,6,8-trioxo-5,7-diazaspiro[2.5]octane-1,1-dicarbonitriles in 75-95% yields from benzylidenemalononitriles and N,N′-dialkylbarbituric acids is described.