3,3-(Butane-1,4-diyl)bis(1,2-dimethyl-1H-imidazole-3-ium)bromide-cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate: A novel reagent for mild synthesis of 12-aryldibenzo[i,b]pyrano[4,3-b]chromenone of benzyl alcohols

A novel and efficient procedure for the synthesis of pyrano[4,3-b]chromene derivatives via three-component condensation reaction of benzyl alcohol, beta-naphthol, and 4-hydroxycoumarin using a catalytical amount of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) and a reusable ionic liquid as a catalyst at room temperature is presented. The method provides several advantages such as simple work-up, environmental friendliness and shorter reaction time along with high yields. All synthesized compounds were elucidated by comparison with authentic samples, IR, H-1, and C-13 NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis.