Lanthanide Triflate Catalyzed One-Pot Synthesis of Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-thiones by a Three-Component of 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds, Aldehydes, and Thiourea Using a Solvent-Free Biginelli Condensation

Abstract

Novel one-pot Biginelli-type reaction has been developed. Aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes with β-dicarbonyl compounds and thiourea in the presence of catalytic amount 5 mol% of Yb(OTf)₃ at 100° C for 60–90 min under solvent-free conditions proceeded smoothly to afford corresponding dihydropyrimidin-thiones. The yields of the classical Biginelli reaction can be increased from 20–50% to 81–91% while the reaction time was shortened from 18–48 h to 60–90 min. In addition the catalyst can be easily recovered and reused.

Keywords:

• Lanthanide triflate
• Biginelli reaction
• One-pot synthesis
• Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-thiones

Acknowledgment

We thank the National Nature Science Foundation of China and the Science Foundation of East China University of Science and Technology for their financial support.