Microwave-assisted novel synthesis of amino-thieno[3,2-b]pyridines under solvent-free conditions

In the presence of a catalytic amount of ytterbium(III) triflate and under microwave irradiation, mixtures of 2-amino-3-thiophenecarbonitriles, ketones, and silica gel afforded smoothly the corresponding amino-thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives in one step. A wide variety of ketones were tested under these conditions. The reactions proceeded rapidly and afforded the desired products in good to excellent yields.