Mannich reaction catalyzed by a novel catalyst under solvent-free conditions

An acidic catalyst [Py][CF3COO] (pyridinium trifluoroacetate) was synthesized and used in the Mannich reaction of various kinds of aromatic aldehydes, aromatic ketones and aromatic amines. β-Amino carbonyl compounds were obtained in reasonable yields when the Mannich reaction was carried out at room temperature under solvent-free conditions. The products could be separated from the catalyst simply via washing with water and after removing water, the catalyst could be recycled and reused for up to four times without noticeably decreasing in catalytic activity.