Synthesis, characterization and catalytic application of silica supported tin oxide nanoparticles for synthesis of 2,4,5-tri and 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles under solvent-free conditions

Highly efficient and eco-friendly, one pot synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetra substituted imidazoles and 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles was reported under solvent free conditions using nanocrystalline silica supported tin oxide (SiO2: SnO2) as a catalyst with excellent yield. The present methodology offers several advantages such as mild reaction conditions, short reaction time, good yield, high purity of product, recyclable catalyst without a noticeable decrease in catalytic activity and can be used for large scale synthesis. The synthesized SiO2: SnO2 nanocrystalline catalyst was characterized by XRD, BET surface area and TEM techniques. (C) 2012 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.