Zirconocene dichloride catalyzed multi-component synthesis of 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols at ambient temperature

Zirconocene dichloride (Cp2ZrCl2) was found to be highly efficient catalyst for the synthesis of structurally diverse 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols by one-pot multi-component reaction (MCR) of 2-naphthol with a variety of aryl aldehydes and amides under ambient temperature. The activation of both carbonyl groups of aryl aldehydes and the o-quinine methide intermediate accounts for the high reactivity of Cp2ZrCl2. [GRAPHICS] .