1,3-Dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin: an efficient catalyst for the solvent free synthesis of 1,8-dioxo-octahydro-xanthenes

This paper describes the applicability of 1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, as a cheap, stable and commercially available catalyst, in the promotion of the synthesis of 1,8-dioxo-octahydro-xanthenes (DOXOs) via the one-pot condensation of aldehydes and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. This novel synthetic method has the advantages of high yields, short reaction times, low cost and availability of the catalyst, solvent-free reaction conditions, simplicity and easy work-up compared to the conventional methods reported in the literature.