I am trying to reproduce a synthesis method, where the reaction of an 1,3-dicarbonyl derivative and an amino-alcohol is catalysed by a Keggin-type heteropoly acid. The reaction product should contain an aromatic N-heterocycle, but my reaction stops at the enamine intermediate product. I use the same amounts of compounds, and I follow the method’s description, except that in the article they say they made the catalyst themselves, and I use the catalyst I ordered from Sigma.
I was wondering what could be the difference, or if I should pre-treat the catalyst?
Any help here would be appreciated!