An eco-friendly three-component regio- and stereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized dihydroindeno[1,2-b]pyrroles under grinding

Facile three-component domino reactions of (E)-3-(dimethylamino)-1-arylprop-2-en-1-ones with anilines and ninhydrin in an equimolar ratio upon grinding in the presence of acetic acid (0.1 ml per mmol of reactants) afforded highly functionalized dihydroindeno[1,2-b]pyrroles regio- and stereoselectively in good yields. This protocol has advantages such as solvent-free reactions under grinding, ambient temperature, short reaction times, simple work-up avoiding chromatographic purification and excellent yields.