Pentafluorophenylammonium Triflate (PFPAT): An Efficient, Practical, and Cost-Effective Catalyst for One-Pot Condensation of β-Naphthol, Aldehydes and Cyclic 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds

A pentafluorophenylammonium triflate (PFPAT) catalyst (10 mol%) efficiently promoted one-pot condensation of β-naphthol, aldehydes, and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in good to excellent yield under mild reaction conditions. These catalytic condensations have advantages from the viewpoint of green chemistry. PFPAT organocatalyst is air-stable, cost-effective, easy to handle, and easily removed from the reaction mixtures.