Ferric chloride/tetraethyl orthosilicate as an efficient system for synthesis of dihydropyrimidinones by Biginelli reaction

An efficient method for the Biginelli reaction of aldehydes, acetoacetate esters and urea employing tetraethyl orthosilicate in the presence of ferric chloride is described. These improved reaction conditions allow the preparation of a wide variety of substituted dihydropyrimidinones (including sterically encumbered ones) in high yields and purity under mild reaction conditions.