Abstract Novel series of photochromic indoline and benzoxazine spiropyrans containing ortho-placed formyl and hydroxyl groups in the benzene ring of the chromene part of the molecule have been prepared. X-ray analysis has shown that, depending on the structure of the heterocyclic component in the spiro cyclization reaction different, nonequivalent formyl groups of 2, 4-dihydroxyisophthalaldehyde can participate. The synthesized compounds ...