Ytterbium perfluorooctanoate [Yb(PFO)3]: a novel and efficient catalyst for the synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthene-11-ones under microwave irradiation

Abstract

Ytterbium perfluorooctanoate [Yb(PFO)3] was found to be an efficient catalyst for the microwave assisted synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthene-11-ones by the one-pot condensation of 2-naphthol, aldehydes and 1,3-dicarbonyl compound under solvent-free conditions. The major advantages of this novel method are short reaction time, high yields, reusability of the catalyst and the absence of any volatile and hazardous organic solvents.