An efficient synthesis of 1, 8-dioxo-octahydroxanthens and 1, 8-dioxo-decahydroacridines from the reaction of
5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione (dimedone) with aromatic aldehydes bearing electron-donating or
withdrawing substituents either in the presence or absence of primary amines has been described in a single pot
using a catalytic amounts of aluminum tris (dodecyl sulfate) trihydrate [Al(DS)
3
·3H
2
O] as a Lewis acid-surfactantcombined
catalyst.
Both reactions occurred at 80 o
C. 1, 8-dioxo-octahydroxanthens has been synthesized under
solvent-free conditions and water is used as a green solvent for the synthesis of 1, 8-dioxo-decahydroacridines.
This methodology offers several advantages such as very simple work-up procedure, short reaction times, and
mild reaction conditions.