“On-water” synthesis of 3-substituted indoles via Knoevenagel/Michael addition sequence catalyzed by Cu doped ZnS NPs

Cu doped ZnS NPs represent a green catalyst for an 'on-water' one-pot rapid synthesis of 3-substituted indole derivatives via Knoevenagel/Michael addition reaction of indane-1,3-dione, aromatic aldehydes, and indole. The catalytic activity of Cu doped ZnS NPs was about sevenfold higher as compared to the ZnS NPs. The Cu doped ZnS NPs catalyst could be recovered and reused for five reaction cycles, giving a total TOF = 201 h−1.