Exploitation of the catalytic efficacy of Mg/Al hydrotalcite for the rapid synthesis of 2-aminochromene derivatives via a multicomponent strategy in the presence of microwaves

Mg/Al hydrotalcite, a heterogeneous base catalyst, was found to be highly effective for the synthesis of 2-aminochromenes via a multicomponent reaction of aromatic aldehydes, malononitriles and 1-naphthol under microwaves. The reaction is rapid, clean and gives the products in high yields. The catalyst is reusable; however, there was reduction in the yield of the product. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.