Nano-sized Cu/Zn-modified MCM-41 (Cu/Zn-MCM-41): preparation, characterization and catalytic application in a new more atom efficient synthesis of tetrasubstituted imidazoles

Abstract

The nano-sized copper/zinc-modified MCM-41 (Cu/Zn-MCM-41) was successfully prepared, characterized and applied as a new heterogeneous mesoporous and reusable nano-catalyst in a more atom efficient and novel one-pot three component strategy for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted imidazoles from nitriles, amines and benzoins under microwave irradiation. Using this method, the major problem of previously reported method (application of toxic and non-recoverable trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as a catalyst) have been solved and all obtained results were highly similar (reaction times and yields) to the application of TFA that proved the efficiency of prepared catalyst in titled reaction.