Efficient synthesis of acridinediones in aqueous media

An efficient synthesis of acridinediones in two steps have been achieved using water as a reaction media without chromatographic purification. First step involves the reaction of dimedone with ammonium acetate to yield enaminone in water which on further reaction with various aldehydes yields acridinedione in aqueous media. The reaction merits the use of water as solvent, no additive catalyst and provides high yield of products with good purity.