Synthesis of β-Amido Ketones with VB₁-Al₂O₃

Significance

Vitamin B₁ on Al₂O₃ catalyzed the one-pot condensation of aromatic aldehydes 1, aromatic ketones 2, and amides 3 in refluxing ethanol to give the corresponding β-amido ketones 4 in up to 86% yield (19 examples). For the reaction of benzaldehyde (1a), acetophenone (2a), and benzamide (3a), the catalyst was reused three times without significant loss of its catalytic activity (1^st reuse: 82% yield, 3^rd reuse: 77% yield).