We have demonstrated the use of CeCl3· 7H2O as highly efficient catalyst for one-pot Mannich reaction to afford β-amino carbonyl compounds in good to excellent yield within shorter period of reaction time. The process is mild, efficient, environmentally benign with the use of little amount of catalyst.
Mannich reaction; CeCl3·7H2O; aromatic aldehydes; amines; β-amino carbonyl compounds