Silica tungstic acid and sulphated silica tungstic acid as highly efficient solid acid catalysts for the synthesis of pyrrole derivatives

Abstract

In the present study silica supported tungstic acid (STA) and sulphated silica tungstic acid (SSTA) were applied as efficient and cost-effective solid acid catalysts in the synthesis of N-substituted pyrrole derivatives via the Paal–Knorr reaction of 2,5-hexadione with aromatic and aliphatic amines at room temperature. The reaction completed in short time under mild conditions with high yield. The catalysts could be easily recovered upon reaction completion. Structures of all products were confirmed by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectra.