New pyridinium-based ionic liquid as an excellent solvent–catalyst system for the one-pot three-component synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted quinolines.

The synthesis of a variety of 2,3-disubstituted quinolines has been achieved successfully via a one-pot three-component reaction of arylamines, arylaldehydes and aliphatic aldehydes in the presence of butylpyridinium tetrachloroindate(III), [bpy][InCl4], ionic liquid as a green catalyst and solvent. Mild conditions with excellent conversions, and simple product isolation procedure are noteworthy advantages of this method. The recyclability of the ionic liquid makes this protocol environmentally benign