Design of a new multi-functional catalytic system Ni/SO3H@zeolite-Y for three-component synthesis of N-benzo-imidazo- or -thiazole-1,3-thiazolidinones

In this investigation, a nanoporous zeolite-NaY supported sulfonic acid was synthesized and Ni(ii) ions were successfully stabilized on SO3H@zeolite-Y (Ni/SO3H@zeolite-Y). This novel type of zeolitic nanocomposite was characterized using various techniques including FT-IR, FE-SEM, TGA, BET and EDX. Ni/SO3H@zeolite-Y was used as a multi-functional and highly active nanocatalyst for the three-component synthesis of 3-benzimidazolyl-1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones and new 3-benzthiazoleyl-1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones via cyclocondensation of 2-aminobenzimidazole or 2-aminobenzothiazole, aromatic aldehydes and thioglycolic acid in acetone-H2O at room temperature. This economical chemical procedure has advantages such as excellent yield in short reaction times, convenient manipulation and high purity of products, applicability to a broad range of substrates, and the use of a nontoxic and heterogeneous acid catalyst with good reusability.