Cerium(IV) oxide as a neutral catalyst for aldehyde-induced decarboxylative coupling of l-proline with triethyl phosphite and nitromethane

The application of cerium(IV) oxide (CeO2) as a neutral and heterogeneous catalyst for aldehyde-induced decarboxylative coupling of l-proline with triethyl phosphite and nitromethane is described. In addition, a [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of the in situ generated 1,3-dipolar intermediate with benzaldehyde in the absence of a nucleophile is also reported.