Dowex-promoted general synthesis of N,N′-disubstituted-4-aryl-3,4-dihydropyrimidinones using a solvent-free Biginelli condensation protocol

Dowex-50W ion exchange resin-promoted solvent-free heating of an intimate mixture of an aldehyde, an active methylene compound and N,N′-dimethylurea furnished the title compounds in moderate to good yields.