Candida antarctica lipase B-catalyzed the unprecedented three-component Hantzsch-type reaction of aldehyde with acetamide and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in non-aqueous solvent

A direct approach to 1,4-dihydropyridines by lipase-catalyzed unprecedented three-component Hantzschtype reaction of aldehyde with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and acetamide in non-aqueous solvent has been developed. Some control experiments have been performed to demonstrate the specific catalytic effect of CAL-B. Acetamide was utilized as a novel ammonia source in the Hantzsch-type reaction for the first time. An array of 1,4-dihydropyridines was successfully synthesized through this methodology. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.