Microwave assisted highly efficient one-pot multi-component synthesis of novel 2-(tetrasubstituted-1H-pyrrol-3-yl)-4H-chroman-4-ones catalyzed by heterogeneous reusable silica gel supported polyphosphoric acid (PPA/SiO2)

A solvent-free, eco-friendly and facile approach for the synthesis of highly functionalized tetrasubstituted pyrroles has been reported through one-pot four-component reaction of aldehyde, amine, nitroalkane and 1,3-diketone using silica gel supported polyphosphoric acid (PPA–SiO₂) under microwave condition. The reaction occured through the in situ formation of β-keto enamine and nitrostyrene analog following Michael addition and finally intramolecular annulation affording the products in good yields. The key features of the present method include clean reaction, mild conditions, low catalyst loading, straightforward, high to excellent yields, short reaction time, avoiding use of harmful metal catalyst and organic solvent, environmentally friendly compared to the existing methods, recovery and reusability of catalyst and easy workup procedure.