Efficient synthesis of 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxanthenes catalyzed by β-cyclodextrin grafted with butyl sulfonic acid in aqueous media

beta-Cyclodextrin was functionalized with butyl sulfonic acid to give an efficient, eco-friendly catalyst for the synthesis of 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxanthenes via the one-pot condensation of aromatic aldehydes and active methylene carbonyl compounds in aqueous media. This new methodology offers several advantages such as excellent yields, short reaction time, a simple procedure and mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, the catalyst can be readily recovered and reused up to five times without a significant loss in its activity. (C) 2015, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.