A facile solvent-free three-component domino synthesis of novel 2,4-diaryl-5,6-dihydrobenzo[j][1,7]phenanthrolines.

A simple, efficient and green procedure for the synthesis of novel 2,4-diaryl-5,6-dihydrobenzo[j][1,7]phenanthrolines has been developed via a Krohnke-type one-pot three-component reaction of 2-[arylmethylidene]-3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-acridinones and (2-aryl-2-oxoethyl)pyridinium bromides in the presence of excess ammonium acetate in good yields under solvent-free conditions. Good functional group tolerance, high substrate scope and no column purification are the practical advantages of this methodology.