Synthesis of pyrrolidinone derivatives from aniline, an aldehyde and diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate in an ethanolic citric acid solution under ultrasound irradiation

Abstract

The ultrasound-promoted one-pot multicomponent synthesis of substituted 3-pyrrolin-2-ones using citric acid as a green additive in a green solvent is reported. Citric acid catalyzed the reaction efficiently without the need for any other harmful organic reagents. Clean reaction profile, easy work-up procedure, excellent yields and short reaction times are some remarkable features of this method. The utilization of ultrasound irradiation makes this method potentially very useful, fast, clean and convenient.