3-Alkynyl-3-OBoc (Boc = tert-butoxycarbonyl) oxindole derivatives underwent a CuII-mediated stereo- and regioselective Friedel–Crafts alkylation/5-exo-dig-cyclization with 2-naphthols or cyclic 1,3-diketones. This gave spirooxindole [2,1-b]furan motifs in good to excellent yields under ambient conditions, and the process has a wide substrate scope. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim