ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Nanosized sulfated zirconia as solid acid catalyst for the synthesis of 2-substituted benzimidazoles

Mohammad Abdollahi-Alibeik and Mohammad Hajihakimi

Department of Chemistry, Yazd University, 89195-741, Yazd, Iran

E-mail: abdollahi@yazduni.ac.ir

Abstract: The condensation reaction of o-phenylenediamine and arylaldehydes was investigated in the presence of nanosized sulfated zirconia (SO₄²⁻-ZrO₂) as the solid acid catalyst. Nanosized SO₄²⁻-ZrO₂ was prepared and characterized by the XRD, FT-IR, and SEM techniques. The results confirm good stabilization of the tetragonal phase of zirconia in the presence of sulfate. Reusability experiments showed partial deactivation of the catalyst after each run; good reusability can be achieved after calcinations of the recovered catalyst before its reuse.

Keywords: sulfated zirconia – nanoparticle – solid acid – catalyst – benzimidazole – reusability

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.2478/s11696-013-0311-2

Chemical Papers 67 (5) 490–496 (2013)