Preparation and characterization of ZnO/nanoclinoptilolite as a new nanocomposite and studying its catalytic performance in the synthesis of 2-aminothiophenes via Gewald reaction

•ZnO/NCP is introduced as an eco-friendly, efficient, and reusable catalyst in the preparation of 2-aminothiophenes.•HDTMA increased the amount of ZnO on the surface of NCP.•Catalytic activity of the nanocomposite was increased with enhancing the content of ZnO onto the surface of NCP.

The nanocomposite ZnO/nanoclinoptilolite (ZnO/NCP) was prepared and performed as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst in the synthesis of 2-aminotiophene derivatives by Gewald reaction. The nanocomposite was prepared through impregnation of the nanoclinoptilolite (NCP) surface with zinc chloride solution through Zn2+ ion exchange, followed by calcination at 500 °C for 24 h. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by XRD, SEM, FESEM, FT-IR, ICP, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm. The obtained catalytic assays demonstrated that the catalytic activity of ZnO/NCP nanocomposite was increased with enhancing the amount of ZnO. Moreover, the prepared nanocomposite showed very good stability and reusability in the titled synthetic method under aerobic and mild conditions.

Graphical abstractZnO/NCP was prepared through impregnation of the NCP surface with zinc chloride via Zn2+ ion exchange, followed by calcinations at 500 °C for 24 h. This nanocomposite was performed as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst in the synthesis of 2-aminotiophenes.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide