An unexpected route for the synthesis of a new spiroheterocyclic system from ninhydrin

Abstract

The reaction of ninhydrin with amines leads to the formation of Ruhemann’s purple. This study presents the synthesis of Ruhemann’s purple and a new benzo-fused spiroheterocyclic system by the reaction between ninhydrin and phenylethylamine. The structure was established using spectroscopic data and X-ray crystal structure analysis.