The synthesis of spiro[benzo[h]pyrazolo[3,4-b][1,6]naphthyridine-7,3'-indoline]-2',6(5H)-diones and spiro[chromeno[4,3-b]pyrazolo[4,3-e]pyridine-7,3'-indoline]-2',6(6aH,10H)-diones via a one-pot, three-component reaction of 4-hydroxycoumarin or 4-hydroxy-1-methylquinolin-2(1H)-one, isatins and 1H-pyrazol-5-amines in water is reported. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.