Cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate catalysed facile and efficient synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives through Hantzsch multicomponent condensation

A general and convenient practical approach for the synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives has been achieved via one-pot four-component Hantzsch condensation of aromatic aldehydes, dimedone, ethyl acetoacetate and ammonium acetate in the presence of a catalytic amount of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN), in ethanol solvent at ambient temperature. Simple work-up, mild reaction conditions, inexpensive and non-toxic catalyst, and excellent product yields are the advantageous features of this method.