Nafion supported molybdenum oxychloride: Recyclable catalyst for one-pot synthesis of nitrones via direct condensation/oxidation of primary amines and aldehydes using UHP as oxidant

Immobilization of molybdenum(VI) oxychloride to the surface of perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer Nafion via an ion exchange method was carried out for the first time. The prepared Nafion immobilized molybdenum(VI) oxychloride catalyst was used for the direct synthesis of nitrones via one-pot condensation/oxidation of primary amines with aldehydes using solid urea-hydrogen peroxide (UHP) as oxidant under very mild reaction conditions. The developed polymer immobilized catalyst showed better activity than its analogous homogeneous catalyst with the added benefits of facile recovery and recyclability of the catalyst without leaching and loss in catalytic activity.