One-Pot Solvent- and Catalyst-Free Synthesis of Some New Heteroarylaminonaphthoquinones from Lawsone

A clean and efficient one-pot protocol for the synthesis of a series of new 2-hydroxy-3- ((3-aryl)(heteroarylamino)methyl)naphthalene-1,4-dione derivatives has been developed by the three-component reaction of 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione, aromatic aldehydes, and heterocyclic amines at 90 ^oC under solvent- and catalyst-free conditions. The procedure avoids the use of toxic solvents, tedious work-up, catalyst, and purification of the products by chromatographic methods. Simple operation, short reaction times, generation of the desired compounds in high to excellent yields, and an environmentally benign method are advantages of this protocol.