CeCl3·7H2O: an efficient and reusable catalyst for the preparation of β-acetamido carbonyl compounds by multi-component reactions (MCRs)

A convenient method for the preparation of β-acetamido carbonyl compounds is described by multi-component reactions of aromatic aldehydes, enolizable ketones or β-keto esters and acetonitrile in the presence of acetyl chloride and 10 mol % CeCl3·7H2O at room temperature.