The synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-ones (Biginelli compounds) and their derivatives is of great interest due to their diverse therapeutic and pharmacological properties, including antiviral, antibacterial, antitumor, and antihypertensive activities. These compounds have also been utilized as calcium channel blockers, α-1a-antagonists, and neuropeptide Y (NPY) antagonists. Marine sources have provided various alkaloids with the dihydropyrimidine core unit, including batzelladine alkaloids, known for their potent inhibition of HIV gp-120-CD4 interaction. The Biginelli reaction is considered a crucial multi-component reaction for generating compounds with diverse medicinal applications [1,2]. In this work, we present a green and efficient method for the solvent-free synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones through a one-pot threecomponent condensation of ethyl acetoacetate, an aryl aldehyde, and urea in the presence of zinccobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles as a high-performance magnetic catalyst (Scheme 1). The proposed methodology offers several advantages, including high yields, short reaction times, mild reaction conditions, straightforward work-up procedures, and the use of a highly recyclable catalyst.
