Abstract A series of 4-spiro-cyclohexadienonyl-β-lactam-3-carbonitriles, 2, 7-dioxo-1- azaspiro [3.5] nona-5, 8-diene-3-carbonitriles, was synthesized in satisfactory to excellent yields via the intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization of N-(p-hydroxyphenyl)