Rapid and Efficient One-Pot Green Synthesis of 12-Aryl-8,9,10,12-tetrahydrobenzo[<i>a</i>]xanthene-11-ones Using Zr-MCM-41 Catalyst

<div><p></p><p>A new green protocol has been developed for the synthesis of 12-aryl-8,9,10,12-tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthen-11-ones via a three-component, one-pot condensation reaction of dimedone, naphthols, and aromatic aldehydes using Zr-MCM-41 nanoreactors as a reusable and novel catalyst at 80 °C under solvent-free conditions. Various aromatic aldehydes containing electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituent at <i>ortho</i>-, <i>meta</i>-, or <i>para</i>-positions show equal effectiveness for product formation in good to excellent yields. Operational simplicity, mild reaction conditions, enhanced rates, environmental friendliness, high isolated yields of the pure products, and purification of products by nonchromatographic methods are significant advantages of the protocol presented here. The catalyst could be recycled and reused without a noticeably decrease in its activity.</p>