Synthesis, characterization and heterogeneous catalytic application of a nickel(II) Schiff base complex immobilized on MWCNTs for the Hantzsch four-component condensation

A nickel(II) Schiff base complex immobilized on multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) surface as a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst was synthesized and characterized by IR, X-ray diffraction patterns, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma, elemental analysis, and thermal gravimetric analysis. Then a facile and environmentally benign procedure was developed for synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives via Hantzsch one-pot condensation reaction of aromatic aldehydes, 1,3-diones, ethyl acetoacetate, and ammonium acetate in the presence of above synthesized catalyst under solvent-free conditions. This protocol has the advantages of stability, easy availability, recyclability and eco-friendly nature of catalyst, simple experimental and work-up procedure, and also high to excellent yields. Considering the solvent-free condition and also temperature, time, and yield of the model reaction, the nanocatalyst reported here is among the best catalysts reported so far for synthesis of polyhydroquinolines.