Copper(II) Triflate-Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Catalyzed Preparation of 1,2-Diphenyl-2,3-dihydro-4-pyridones in Aqueous Acidic Medium

The reactions between N-benzylideneanilines and Danishefsky's diene proceed smoothly in acidic aqueous medium in the presence of a catalytic amount of copper(II) triflate-sodium dodecyl sulfate [Cu(OTf)(2)-SDS] to afford the corresponding 1,2-diphenyl-2,3-dihydro-4-pyridones in excellent yields of 84-95%. The aqueous solution containing the catalyst is recovered and reused without any loss in efficiency.