Reusable α-MoO3 nanobelts catalyzes the green and heterogeneous condensation of 1,2-diamines with carbonyl compounds

Abstract

Crystalline nanobelts of α-MoO₃ have been obtained successfully using novel and safe agents through a simple and safe sol–gel method (polymerizing–complexing) and characterized by XRD, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopies, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of ammonia. An orthorhombic lattice system for nano-MoO₃ was established. The HRTEM images showed that the nanobelt morphology of α-MoO₃ mostly ranged from 20–70 nm in width and 200–400 nm in length. The ammonia TPD profile demonstrated strong acidic sites. The spectral and analysis data confirmed the effectiveness of the method for the preparation of α-MoO₃ nanobelts by prevention of grain growth or agglomeration of the particles. The nanostructured MoO₃ exhibited a high efficiency in catalyzing the condensation reaction of various 1,2-diamine and carbonyl compounds for synthesis of heterocyclic compounds. The recovery of the title heterogenous nanocatalyst was easy and efficient and its catalytic activity was strikingly different from the bulk material.