Synthesize of Folic acid functionalized dendritic fibrous nano-silica and its application as an efficient nanocatalyst for access to direct amidation of carboxylic acids with amines

Abstract

A new nanomaterial based on folic acid functionalized dendritic fibrous nano-silica (FA-KCC-1-NH2) was synthesized and used as a recyclable solid acid and heterogeneous nanocatalyst towards efficient amidation of a variety of carboxylic acids with amines in toluene under reflux conditions. KCC-1 porous nanomaterials were produced utilizing a hydrothermal technique and in the next functionalized with folic acid moieties to yield KCC-1-NH-FA nanocatalyst. The structure of KCC-1, KCC-1-NH2 and KCC-1-NH-FA nanoparticles were investigated by FESEM, DLS, zeta potential and TEM, instrumental techniques. Also, the pore size of KCC-1-NH-FA nanoparticles were moreover investigated with BET where results revealed that the surface of this nanocomposite was expanded. The synthesized KCC-1-NH-FA nanoparticles showed effective catalytic activity in amidation of carboxylic acids with amines affording in high yields (76-89%) and short period of times. Moreover, other advantages of present method are easy workup, no need to use of chromatographic column and excellent recyclability of catalyst without significant loss in its catalytic activity which gives economic rewards.