Magnetic nanoparticles-supported tungstosilicic acid: as an efficient magnetically separable solid acid for the synthesis of benzoazoles in water

The magnetic nanoparticles-supported tungstosilicic acid (TSAMNP) was found to be a highly efficient solid acid for the synthesis of benzoazoles in water. TSAMNP catalyst was achieved by the immobilization of tungstosilicic acid [H-4(W12SiO40)] species on the silica core-shell magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4@SiO2). A variety of aldehydes were successfully condensed with 1,2-diaminobenzene, 2-aminophenol and 2-aminothiophenol in water as a green solvent to synthesize benzoazoles in good-to-excellent yields. TSAMNP catalyst was easily separated from the reaction mixture and reused several times without any loss of efficiency.