Recyclable CuO nanoparticles as heterogeneous catalysts for the synthesis of xanthenes under solvent free conditions

CuO nanoparticles (NPs) of 17-22 nm size have been synthesized in very high yield in 4 minutes using a microwave and water as medium. The obtained NPs have been characterized by FTIR, XRD and TEM. CuO NPs have been used as a nanocatalyst to carry out the synthesis of xanthenes in solvent free conditions. They exhibit good catalytic activity with excellent yield. The main features of CuO NPs as catalyst in the synthesis of xanthenes are reduced reaction time, higher yields, ease of product isolation, economic availability of catalyst, simple procedure, and no harmful byproducts. The spent heterogeneous catalyst has been recovered by simple filtration and reused for multiple cycles.