One step liquid phase heterogeneous synthesis of phenytoin over MgAl calcined hydrotalcites

Heterogeneous liquid phase synthesis of phenytoin (5,5-diphenylhydantoin) was carried out over MgAl calcined hydrotalcites for the first time under environmental friendly conditions. The catalytic activity results showed very high conversion (80–95%) and selectivity (90–95%) of the desired product phenytoin over MgAl calcined hydrotalcites. The calcined hydrotalcites can be recycled without further loss in the activity and the possible mechanism of the reaction is also proposed.