Microwave-Assisted Catalyst-free Green Synthesis of 1,4-Dihydropyridine Fused Acridines via Decarboxylation

Abstract

A new method has been developed to synthesize highly functionalized 1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP)-fused acridines using 1,3-cyclohexanedione, phenyl glyoxylic acid, and aniline. The process involves a green, catalyst-free cascade that includes C—C and C—N bond formation through cyclization steps. This method offers several advantages, including mild reaction conditions, short reaction times, broad functional group compatibility, and high yields under microwave irradiation. The present approach employs phenyl glyoxylic acid for the first time in the synthesis of acridine heterocyclic derivatives.