Metal-free Bronsted acids catalyzed synthesis of functional 1,4-dihydropyridines

Bronsted acids catalyze the addition of beta-enaminoacrylates to alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes leading to substituted dihydropyridines in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. The first example of an enantioselective synthesis of a dihydropyridine is also reported. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.