One-pot synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones using chloroacetic acid as catalyst

A simple and effective synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one derivatives from aldehydes, 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and urea or thiourea using chloroacetic acid as catalyst under solvent-free conditions is described. Compared with the classical Biginelli reaction conditions, this new method has the advantage of good to excellent yields and short reaction time.