Zn(OTf)2

A simple and efficient protocol for the synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines has been developed. In this one-pot multicomponent condensation methodology, all the reactants aldehydes, β-ketoester, ammonium acetate and catalyst were subjected to react at acetonitrile reflux to afford the corresponding products in very good yields. In all reactions, the catalyst Zn(OTf)2 was used in catalytic amount only and all the products were characterized by their spectroscopy analysis.