Synthesis of (aryl/heteroaryl)-(6-(aryl/heteroaryl)pyridin-3-yl)methanones

One-pot condensation of aryl/heteroaryl beta-enaminones and ammonium acetate in the presence of CeCl3 center dot 7H(2)O-NaI led to the formation of novel (aryl/heteroaryl)(6-(aryl/heteroaryl)pyridin-3-yl)methanone in very good yields. Mechanistically, the reaction proceeds via tandem, regioselective Michael addition-cyclodehydration-elimination sequence.