Abstract

Ferric dodecyl sulfonate (FDS) [Fe(DS)3], a Lewis acid-surfactant-combined catalyst has been successfully used for the
synthesis of a library of tetrahydro-β-carbolines (THBCs) through Pictet–Spengler reaction under conventional heating reaction
conditions in aqueous medium. The merit of this protocol is the formation of FDS micellar spheres in water, the ability of each
individual sphere to host the substrates to react easily, and efficiently to form the products in short reaction times. Hence, the
reaction of tryptamine with various aldehydes has been facilitated the formation of desired THBCs in good yields. The aqueous
reaction medium, dual (hydrophilic and hydrophobic) behavior of FDS catalyst, high yields of products, and short reaction times
had established this as an eco-friendly and economical protocol for the synthesis of THBCs.