Synthesis of new TCH/Ni-based nanocomposite supported on SBA-15 and its catalytic application for preparation of benzimidazole and perimidine derivatives

A stable nickel-decorated SBA-15 nanocomposite (Ni/TCH@SBA-15) was synthesized through surface modification of silica nanoparticles with 3-chloropropyltriethoxysilane (CPTES) and thiocarbohydrazide (TCH) followed by metal-ligand coordination with Ni (II). The structure of this organometallic nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier transform-infrared, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, EDAX, transmission electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy and N-2 adsorption-desorption (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) techniques. The catalytic performance of Ni/TCH@SBA-15 (NNTS-15) was determined for the synthesis of 2-aryl-substituted benzimidazoles and 2,3-dihydroperimidines. The excellent yields within shorter reaction times, simplicity of catalytic methods, non-toxicity and clean reactions, mild reaction conditions and easy work-up procedure are the important merits of these synthetic protocols. Moreover, the Ni (II) bonded to the SBA-15 surface was stable under the catalytic reaction conditions resulting in its efficient recycling and reuse.