Novel biopolymer-based catalyst for the multicomponent synthesis of 𝑁-aryl-4-aryl-substituted dihydropyridines derived from simple and complex anilines

Abstract

Although Hantzsch synthesis has been an established multicomponent reaction method for more than a decade, its derivative, whereby an aniline replaces ammonium acetate as the nitrogen source, has not been explored at great length. Recent studies have shown that the products of such a reaction, N-aryl-4-aryldihydropyridines (DHPs), have significant anticancer activity. In this study, we successfully managed to synthesize a wide range of DHPs (18 examples, 8 of which were novel) using a metal-free, mild, inexpensive, recoverable, and biopolymer-based heterogeneous catalyst, known as piperazine, which was supported in agar–agar gel. In addition, 8 further examples (3 novel) of such dihydropyridines were synthesized using isatin instead of aldehyde as a reactant, producing spiro-linked structures. Lastly, this catalyst managed to afford an unprecedented product that was derived using an innovative technique—a combination of multicomponent reactions. Essentially, the product of our previously reported aza-Friedel–Crafts multicomponent reaction could itself be used as a reactant instead of aniline in the synthesis of more complex dihydropyridines.