1,3,5-Tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate functionalized graphene oxide: a novel and efficient nanocatalyst for the one-pot synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones

Abstract

In this research, the preparation, characterization and catalytic application of a novel 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate functionalized graphene oxide (GO–THEIC) nanomaterial are described. The GO/THEIC nanomaterial was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. The catalytic application of the GO–THEIC nanocatalyst was then investigated in the Biginelli condensation of different aldehydes with alkylacetoacetates and urea or thiourea under solvent-free conditions and at a moderate temperature. Moreover, the significant advantages of this procedure are the stability and reusability of the catalyst, low loading of the catalyst, avoiding the use of toxic transition metals, short reaction times, high to excellent yields, and easy separation and purification of the products.