Zeolite an efficient catalyst for the Biginelli condensation reaction

A zeolite catalyzed, single step and environmentally friendly process for synthesis of classical Biginelli reaction was investigated. For this reaction Transition metal/Y zeolites were prepared by microwave solid-state and aqueous solution ion-exchange methods. The yield of reactions was increased in order of CuY > CoY > NiY > MnY ≈ FeY > VY > CrY > ZnY for the solid-state zeolite ion-exchange and CuY > CoY > NiY > MnY > CrY > VY > ZnY > FeY for the aqueous solution ion-exchange. The solid-state ion-exchange zeolite by microwave irradiation showed higher activity compared to the aqueous solution exchange. The yield of the product in the present of CuY zeolite was in order of 22–50%.