CsF mediated rapid condensation of 1,3-cyclohexadione with aromatic aldehydes: Comparative study of conventional heating vs. ambient temperature

A mild, efficient and high yielding protocol for the synthesis of 2,2′-arylmethelene dicyclohexane-1,3-dione derivatives at room temperature and 9-aryl-1,8-dihydrooctahydroxanthene at conventional heating using cesium fluoride as a catalyst is reported. The major advantages of this reaction are excellent yield, very short reaction time and use of inexpensive catalyst.