Comparison tests of one-pot synthesis of 1,5-benzodiazepine 8aaavia a four-component domino reaction^a.

Entry	Catalystb	t 1 f (h)	Yieldc (%) 3a	t 2 f (h)	Yieldd (%) 5aa	T 3 (°C)	t 3 f (min)	Yielde (%) 8aaa
1	Al6{P4Mo6}6	3.0	98	1.8	92	25	20	83
2	Al{P4Mo6}2	3.2	97	2.0	89	25	20	75
3	No catalyst	7.0	98	5.5	62	25	120	Trace
4	p-TsOH	4.0	92	3.0	73	25	26	43
5	AlCl3	4.5	94	3.0	82	25	58	29
6	{Na[P4Mo6]2}	3.5	95	2.5	86	25	30	72

^aOne-pot reaction conditions: acetophenone 1a (1.00 mmol), N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal 2 (1.00 mmol), 1,2-phenylenediamine 4a (1.00 mmol), ethyl pyruvate 6a (1.00 mmol) and catalyst (10.00 mg) for the four-component domino reaction.

^bCatalyst (10.00 mg).

^cIsolated yield in the first step.

^dTotal isolated yield for the first two steps.

^eOverall isolated yield for the 3 steps.

^fThe time taken for the reaction to complete.