Silica gel supported sodium hydrogen sulfate as an efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of imines in solvent-free conditions under microwave irradiation

Abstract

This synthesis of imines has been carried out efficiently by the condensation of carbonyl compounds with amines in the presence of silica gel supported sodium hydrogen sulfate (NaHSO4.SiO2) as a heterogeneous catalyst under microwave irradiation in solvent-free conditions. NaHSO4.SiO2 can be recovered and re-used up to ten times by simple washing with diethyl ether after each use and activated in an oven at 120°C for 1 h, thus rendering the process more economical.