Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of 3-(1-(2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl)-2-aryl-6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-3-yl)indolin-2-ones by novel core-shell bio-based nanocatalyst anchoring sulfonated L-histidine on magnetized silica (SO3H-L-His@SiO2-nano Fe3O4)

An efficient synthesis of 3-(1-(2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl)-2-aryl-6,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-3-yl)indolin-2-ones is reported via a one-pot three-component reaction of 3-phenacylidenoxindoles, tryptamine, and dimedone under ultrasound irradiation using a newly prepared core-shell nanostructure. The utilized nanocatalyst is obtained by anchoring sulfonated L-histidine amino acid shell, as the bio part, on silica-nanomagnetite core (SO3H-L-His@SiO2-nano Fe3O4) and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-1 NMR), field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis, vibrating sample magnetometer measurements, transmission electron microscopy, and back-titration. The protocol contains several advantages, such as relatively short reaction times, simple work-up procedure by separation of the catalyst with an external magnet, the use of economical and environmentally friendly ultrasonic waves, and reusability and recoverability of the core-shell nano-promoter for three runs without significant activity loss.