Cerium(IV) triflate-catalyzed domino annulation approaches to the synthesis of highly substituted piperidines

A simple, diastereoselective, inexpensive, and efficient route for the synthesis of highly functionalized piperidines by the condensation of β-keto-esters, aromatic aldehydes and anilines using cerium(IV) triflate as a catalyst is described. In most cases, the piperidine precipitates out of the solution.