Preparation and characterization of ZnO/nanoclinoptilolite as a new nanocomposite and studying its catalytic performance in the synthesis of 2-aminothiophenes via Gewald reaction

Abstract

The nanocomposite ZnO/nanoclinoptilolite (ZnO/NCP) was prepared and performed as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst in the synthesis of 2-aminotiophene derivatives by Gewald reaction. The nanocomposite was prepared through impregnation of the nanoclinoptilolite (NCP) surface with zinc chloride solution through Zn2+ ion exchange, followed by calcination at 500 °C for 24 h. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by XRD, SEM, FESEM, FT-IR, ICP, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm. The obtained catalytic assays demonstrated that the catalytic activity of ZnO/NCP nanocomposite was increased with enhancing the amount of ZnO. Moreover, the prepared nanocomposite showed very good stability and reusability in the titled synthetic method under aerobic and mild conditions.