Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane-catalyzed three-component reaction for the synthesis of 1,8-dioxodecahydroacridines under solvent-free conditions

A mild and efficient method for the synthesis of 1,8-dioxodecahydroacri dines has been developed. The synthesis proceeds via a three-component reaction of a 1,3-dione, an aldehyde and an amine, under solvent-free conditions, catalyzed by tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane [B(C6F5)(3)]. The mildness of the catalyst was demonstrated by studying the reaction of 1,3-cyclohexanedione with various aldehydes and amines which gave the 1,8-dioxo-decahydroacridines in high yields.