Cerium (IV) sulfate: A highly efficient reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones under solvent-free conditions

Cerium (IV) sulfate tetrahydrate, Ce(SO4)2·4H2O, is a novel inorganic solid acidic catalyst that efficiently catalyzes the synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones via the one-pot three- component reaction of isatoic anhydride, aromatic aldehydes, and a nitrogen source (ammonium acetate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium chloride, or methylamine) under solvent-free conditions. The desired products are obtained in short reaction time with high yields. The catalyst is inexpensive and readily available and can be recovered conveniently and reused such that considerable catalytic activity can still be achieved after the fifth run. Easy work-up and avoiding the use of harmful organic solvents are other advantages of this simple procedure.

Graphical AbstractSynthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones via the one-pot reaction of isatoic anhydride, aromatic aldehydes, and a nitrogen source (an ammonium salt or methylamine) is efficiently catalyzed by Ce(SO4)2·4H2O under solvent-free conditions. The catalyst could be easily recycled and used at least five times without significant reduction in its activity.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide