Niobium pentachloride catalyzed one-pot multicomponent condensation reaction of β-naphthol, aryl aldehydes and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. Thus, a variety of 8,9,10,12-tetrahydrobenzo[a] xanthen-11-one derivatives were produced in good to excellent yields.
Keywords: Xanthene, aryl aldehyde, β-naphthol, cyclohexandione, niobium pentachloride.