ZnO Nanobelts: An Efficient Catalyst for Synthesis of 5-Arylidine-2,4-Thiazolidinediones and 5-Arylidine-Rhodanines

Abstract

A facile preparation of ZnO nanobelts by chemical precipitation technique and its utility as catalyst in Knoevenagel condensation of 2,4-thiazolidinedione/rhodanine has been described. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron mi-croscopy techniques revealed the formation ZnO nanobelts. Scanning electron microscopic observations indicate that the lengths of nanobelts are ranging from a few hundreds of micrometers to a few millimeters. Its use for the condensation of aldehydes and active methylene compounds under solvent free reaction condition at 90˚C afforded the corresponding products in excellent yields in minute time.