Synthesis of a nitrite functionalized star-like poly ionic compound as a highly efficient nitrosonium source and catalyst for the diazotization of anilines and subsequent facile synthesis of azo dyes under solvent-free conditions

•Star-like nitrite functionalized poly ionic compound is an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the diazotization reaction.•Azo dyes were synthesized using this catalyst in excellent yields under solvent-free conditions.•We introduced new nitrosonium ion source and it is the best because it gave excellent yields without any by-products.

Nitrite functionalized star-like poly ionic (NFSPI) compound was synthesized and used as a highly efficient nitrosonium source and catalyst for the conversion of aniline derivatives to diazonium salts. Azo dyes were prepared via in situ azo-coupling reaction of these diazoniums with active aromatic compounds under solvent-free conditions in very short reaction time in excellent yields. NFSPI plays dual role as a three-dimensional nitrosonium source and catalyst because of its poly ionic characteristic. The isolated products were confirmed with FT-IR spectrum, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR spectroscopy and CHNSO analysis. The structure of heterogeneous reagent and catalyst was confirmed by FT-IR spectrum, SEM images, EDX and CHNSO analysis. Yields and reaction times for the synthesis of a variety of products via this procedure were compared with reported values in literature.

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