Nanocrystalline sulfated zirconia as an efficient solid acid catalyst for the synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones

The condensation reaction of 2-aminobenzamide and aldehydes or ketones was investigated in the presence of nanocrystalline sulfated zirconia (SO₄ ^2?/ZrO₂) as solid acid catalyst. SO₄ ^2?/ZrO₂ nanoparticles with different calcination temperatures were prepared and characterized by XRD, FT-IR and SEM techniques. The results confirm good stabilization of tetragonal phase of zirconia in the presence of sulfate. The reusability experiments show partial deactivation of the catalyst due to leaching of the sulfate and coke deposition on the catalyst.