ZrOCl2·8H2O: An efficient and recyclable catalyst for the three-component synthesis of amidoalkyl naphthols under solvent-free conditions

An efficient synthesis of amidoalkyl naphthols from the reaction of β-naphthol and various aromatic aldehydes and amides using ZrOCl2·8H2O, an environmentally friendly catalyst under a thermal solvent-free green procedure is described. This simple protocol offers advantages such as shorter reaction times, simple work-up and excellent yield. The catalyst ZrOCl2·8H2O can be reused. The reusability of the catalyst has been studied for the synthesis of various amidoalkyl naphthols.