Facile and green synthesis of triarylmethanes using silica sulfuric acid as a reusable catalyst under solvent-free conditions

A facile and environmentally-benign protocol has been developed for the synthesis of triarylmethanes (TAMs) from the reaction of different arenes and aldehydes in the presence of silica sulfuric acid (SSA) as a heterogeneous and reusable catalyst under solvent-free conditions. Easy work-up, short reaction times, high yields, high selectivity, mild and green conditions are other salient features of this method. (C) 2011 Academic des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.