The synthesis of dihydropyrimidinones and dihydropyrimidine thiones has attracted interest due to their biological activities. A common method for their synthesis is the Biginelli reaction, which is a one-pot condensation of an aryl aldehyde, urea (or thiourea), and ethyl acetoacetate. The Biginelli reaction is typically catalyzed by a Brønsted or Lewis acid. However, many of these catalysts such as BF3· Et2O and AlCl3 are corrosive and/or toxic. ...