A rapid and efficient CsF catalyzed tandem Knoevenagel–Michael reaction

A simple, experimentally rapid and efficient CsF catalyzed tandem Knoevenagel–Michael reaction protocol is developed for the synthesis of a series of functionalized 9-(2-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-6-oxocyclohex-1-enyl)-3,3-dimethyl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-xanthen-1-one (1–7) by reacting dimedone with substituted salicylaldehydes. The use of CsF as a catalyst allowed reactions under moderate conditions and resulted in better yields.