Ultrasound-assisted rapid synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-aminoketones with direct-type catalytic Mannich reaction using bismuth(III) triflate in aqueous media at room temperature

An innovative, powerful, efficient and relatively rapid method was developed to synthesise various β-aminoketone derivatives from cyclohexanone, substituted aromatic amines and aromatic or hetero-aromatic aldehydes via ultrasound-assisted direct-type catalytic Mannich reaction using bismuth(III) triflate in water. Good yields of the desired β-aminoketones were obtained at room temperature by ultrasound-assisted reaction within 1–2 h. The major advantages of the proposed method are undemanding conditions, easy operation, low toxicity, shorter reaction time, anti selectivity and higher yields in comparison with conventional methods.