One-pot diastreoselective synthesis of highly functionalized cyclohexenones: 2-oxo-N,4,6-triarylcyclohex-3-enecarboxamides.

A series of 2-oxo-N,4,6-triarylcyclohex-3-enecarboxamides were synthesized by condensing acetophenone and aromatic aldehydes with acetoacetanilide in ethanol in the presence of 2-hydroxyethylammonium acetate (2-HEAA) as a basic ionic liquid at ambient conditions. This process is simple, efficient and environmentally benign and proceeds in high yield, short reaction times and there is no need for column chromatography purification.