Commercial ZrO2 as a new, efficient, and reusable catalyst for the one-step synthesis of quinolines in solvent-free conditions
Commercially available zirconia (ZrO2) is reported as an extremely efficient catalyst for the synthesis of quinolines. A one-step reaction of 2-aminoarylketones and a carbonyl compound (Friedlander reaction) took place under solvent-free conditions to afford the corresponding quinolines in good-to-high yields in the presence of ZrO2. Furthermore, the catalyst is reused several times without any significant loss of its catalytic activity.