Ceria/vinylpyridine polymer nanocomposite: an ecofriendly catalyst for the synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones

The three-component condensation of aldehydes, β-ketoesters and urea has been carried out in water using ceria (cerium oxide, CeO2) nanoparticles supported on poly(4vp-co-dvb) as a catalyst for the preparation of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones in good yields. The catalyst was recovered easily and reused without loss of its activity.