One-pot synthesis of xanthene derivatives catalyzed by Fe(III) tetranitrophthalocyanine immobilized on activated carbon

Xanthene derivatives were synthesized by a multicomponent one-pot reaction of aromatic aldehydes, β-naphthol, and 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione or 1,3-cyclohexanedione upon efficient and eco-friendly catalysis of Fe(III) tetranitrophthalocyanine immobilized on activated carbon in ethanol. The method tolerated a variety of functional groups and the process was carried out under mild conditions to give high yield of products (85–91%) in 30 min. The catalyst can be recycled without any loss in catalytic activity.