Iron(III) chloride-catalyzed convenient one-pot synthesis of β-acetamido carbonyl compounds

A one-pot multi-component reaction of aldehydes, enolizable ketones or 1,3-dicarbonyls, acetonitrile/benzonitrile, and acetyl chloride is described for the preparation of β-acetamido carbonyl compounds using FeCl₃·6H₂O as a mild, inexpensive, and highly efficient catalyst. The effect of substrate as well as substituent for multi-component reaction versus Knoevenagel condensation is also illustrated. The key features of this methodology are operational simplicity, mild reaction conditions, and good yields.