Synthesis of enaminones and enamino esters catalysed by ZrOCl2 · 8H2O

A simple, fast and efficient procedure has been developed for the synthesis of β-enaminones and β-enamino esters catalysed by zirconyl chloride octahydrate (ZrOCl2 · 8H2O). The reaction of β-diketones and β-ketoesters with primary amines was carried out efficiently under solvent-free conditions at room temperature and led to chemo- and regio-selective formations of enamine derivatives in high to excellent yields.