CuI Nanoparticles as New, Efficient and Reusable Catalyst for the One-pot Synthesis of 1,4-Dihydropyridines

A simple one-pot synthesis of two derivatives of 1,4-dihydropyridines has been described under reflux conditions using copper iodide nanoparticles (CuI NPs) as a catalyst in high yields. This method demonstrated four-component coupling reactions of aldehydes and ammonium acetate via two pathways. In one route, the reaction was performed using 2 eq ethyl acetoacetate while in the other one 1 eq ethyl acetoacetate and 1 eq malononitrile were used. The CuI NPs was reused and recycled without any loss of activity and product yield. It is noteworthy to state that wide range of the 1,4-dihydropyridines have attracted large interest due to pharmacological and biological activities.