An efficient one pot three-component synthesis of 2,4,6-triarylpyridines using triflimide as a metal-free catalyst under solvent-free conditions

Abstract

A simple and efficient protocol developed for one pot three-component synthesis of 2,4,6-triarylpyridines from aromatic aldehydes, substituted acetophenones and ammonium acetate using the versatile super Brønsted acid triflimide (HNTf 2 ) as an effective catalyst is described. The reactions proceed well in the presence of 1 mol% of HNTf 2 at 80 °c under solvent-free conditions and provide the corresponding triarylpyridines in good to excellent yields. The method reported has several advantages such as a metal-free and commercially available catalyst, mild reaction conditions and lower loading of catalyst.