One pot synthesis of unsymmetrical dihydropyridines by green, catalyst free and environmentally benign protocol

A facile and ecofriendly synthesis of β-enamino esters is reported by reaction of both aliphatic and aromatic amines with β-keto esters by refluxing in ethanol in absence of any catalyst. Addition of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes to the reaction mixture leads to the formation of unsymmetrical dihydropyridine derivatives which generally are metal free hydrogen sources for asymmetric reduction reactions.