Simple and efficient procedure for the one-pot synthesis of beta-acetamido-beta-aryl-propiophenones by molecular iodine-catalyzed tandem reaction

Molecular iodine efficiently catalyzes the four-component tandem reaction of araldehydes, arylmethyl ketones, acetyl chloride, and acetonitrile to afford the corresponding beta-acetamido-beta-aryl-propiophenones. The new protocol gives high yields of the products, and the reactions go to completion within 10-15 min on a hot plate at 80-85 degrees C.