HOTf-catalyzed sustainable one-pot synthesis of benzene and pyridine derivatives under solvent-free conditions

Herein a versatile HOTf-catalyzed and solvent-free system for highly efficient one-pot synthesis of privileged benzene and pyridine derivatives has been developed using ketones and ketones with amines as simple substrates, respectively. The remarkable features of this green reaction include good to excellent yields, exclusive chemoselectivity and broad substrate/functional group tolerance.