Pentafluorophenylammonium triflate (PFPAT): an efficient, practical, and cost-effective catalyst for one-pot condensation of β-naphthol, aldehydes and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds.

A pentafluorophenylammonium triflate (PFPAT) catalyst (10 mol%) efficiently promoted one-pot condensation of β-naphthol, aldehydes, and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in good to excellent yield under mild reaction conditions. These catalytic condensations have advantages from the viewpoint of green chemistry. PFPAT organocatalyst is air-stable, cost-effective, easy to handle, and easily removed from the reaction mixtures.