An efficient, simple and expedition synthesis of 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols as 'drug like' molecules for biological screening.

An efficient and direct protocol for the preparation of amidoalkyl naphthols employing a multi-component, one-pot condensation reaction of beta-naphthol, aromatic aldehydes and acetamide in the presence of ferric hydrogensulfate under solvent, solvent-free and microwave conditions is described. The thermal solvent-free and microwave green procedures offer advantages such as shorter reaction times, simple work-up, excellent yield, recovery and reusability of catalyst. It is noteworthy that 1-amidomethyl-2-naphthols can be converted into important biological 'drug like' active 1-aminomethyl-2-naphthols derivatives by amide hydrolysis.