The Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction of 3-chloromethylen-2-indolones 1 with a series of dienes 2 was studied in order to synthesize spirocyclohexenindolones 3 and 4. The reaction proceeded with good diastereoselectivity and regioselectivity. Chloro spirocyclohexenindolones 3 and 4 were transformed into 2-aminobiphenyl derivatives 5 by reacting with sodium ethoxide. Starting from the indolone 1c and 2,3-dimethylbutadiene the spiro compounds 3f and 4e were obtained. On treatment with sodium ethoxide, 3f was transformed into the phenanthridone derivatives 7 and 8. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.