Thermally decomposed Ni-Fe-hydrotalcite: A highly active catalyst for the solvent-free N-acylation of different amines by acid chlorides

A composite Ni–Fe catalyst obtained from the thermal decomposition of Ni-Fe-hydrotalcite at 600 °C shows very high activity in the solvent-free N-acylation of amines by different acid chlorides with high product yields under very mild reaction conditions (viz. room temperature, short reaction period and small amount of catalyst). The catalyst also shows excellent reusability in the reaction. The crystalline phases present in the catalyst are mixed oxides and hydroxides of nickel and iron. The high catalytic activity of the decomposed Ni-Fe-hydrotalcite is attributed to the formation of uniformly distributed Ni–Fe metal oxides and hydroxides.

N-acylation of aliphatic, aromatic and cyclic amines by inexpensive acid chlorides with high product yields can be easily accomplished at room temperature in a short period under solvent-free conditions, using a highly active environmentally benign solid catalyst derived from Ni-Fe-HT.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► The catalyst was obtained from thermal decomposition of Ni-Fe-HT.
► It shows very high solvent-free N-acylation activity at room temperature.
► It is easily separable and reusable.
► Inexpensive acid chlorides are used as acylating agent.