Potassium dodecatungstocobaltate trihydrate (K5CoW12O40 · 3H2O): A mild and efficient reusable catalyst for the synthesis of amidoalkyl naphthols in solution and under solvent-free conditions

An efficient and direct procedure has been developed for the preparation of amidoalkyl naphthols by a one-pot condensation of aryl aldehydes, β-naphthol and urea or amides, in the presence of potassium dodecatungstocobaltate trihydrate [K5CoW12O40 · 3H2O, (1 mol%)] as a heterogeneous catalyst. The reactions were carried out in 1,2-dichloroethane at room temperature or under solvent-free media at elevated temperature. The present methodology offers several advantages such as excellent yields, simple procedure and the catalyst exhibited remarkable reusability.