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The mechanism of the Ugi four-component reaction has been investigated by electrospray ionization (tandem) mass spectrometry using charge-tagged reagents (a carboxylic acid or an amine) to favour detection. Key intermediates were transferred directly via ESI(+) from the reaction solution to the gas phase and characterized by MS measurements and MS/MS collision induced dissociation. The Mumm rearrangement (final step) was also investigated by both travelling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry and DFT calculations. The data seem to consolidate the amazingly selective mechanism of this intricate four-component reaction.

The current manuscript describes the role and importance of catalysis and solvent effects for the Biginelli multicomponent reaction. The overwhelming number of new catalysts and conditions recently published for the Biginelli synthesis, including in some manuscripts entitled "catalyst-free" and/or "solvent-free" have incentivized controversies and hot debates regarding the importance of developing new catalysts and reaction conditions to perform this very important multicomponent reaction. These so-called "catalyst-free" reports have generated much confusion in the field, requiring urgent elucidations. In this manuscript, we exemplify, demystify, and discuss the crucial role of catalysis, solvent effects, mechanisms, kinetics, facts, presumptions, and myths associated with the Biginelli reaction aiming to avoid current and future confusion and to stimulate new approaches.

This paper describes the use of common Lewis acids supported in imidazolium-based ionic liquids as the catalysts to promote the Biginelli reaction. The ionic liquid effect and the reaction mechanism are discussed on the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and theoretical calculations. Indeed, the results showed that the ionic medium plays a fundamental role in the synthesis of biologically active dihydropyrimidinones due to the stabilization of the charged intermediates proposed in the mechanism. When conducted in an ionic liquid as solvent, the reaction mechanism is more complex than in other Lewis acid catalyzed Biginelli reactions.

Bronsted and Lewis acid catalysts with ionic tags under homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions have been tested to perform the Biginelli synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2­(1H)-one (DHPMs). Metal-containing ionic liquids were evaluated as the catalysts with reasonable results (homogeneous systems). Heterogeneous catalysts (zeolite β and H3PW12O40 supported on zeolite β) have been tested, as well, with good to excellent results. The use of a functionalized acid ionic liquid with a heteropolyacid in the anion moiety (homogeneous system) gave the best results using no excess of the three reagents. The preferred mechanistic pathway was investigated by electrospray ionization (tandem) mass spectrometry in both positive and negative ion modes with very elucidative results. The ionic liquid effect and its origin were also investigated using mass spectrometry and DFT calculations.