Silica supported perchloric acid (HClO4–SiO2): an efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of amidoalkyl naphthols

An efficient and direct protocol for the preparation of amidoalkyl naphthols employing a multi-component and one-pot condensation reaction of 2-naphthol, aromatic aldehydes, and acetonitrile or acetamide in the presence of silica supported perchloric acid under solvent, solvent-free, and microwave irradiation conditions is described. The present protocol with HClO4–SiO2 catalyst is superior to the recently reported catalytic methods. It is noteworthy that 1-amidomethyl-2-naphthols can be converted into important ‘drug like’ 1-aminomethyl-2-naphthol derivatives by amide hydrolysis.