A Convenient, Clean and Expeditious Synthesis of bis(heterocyclyl)methanes Over High Surface Area Zirconium Phosphate Catalyst in Water: A Green Approach

A mild, efficient and environmentally benign method is adopted in the synthesis of aryl bis(heterocyclyl)methanes in water over mesoporous zirconium phosphate. The catalyst has been prepared following surfactant templated EISA (Evaporation Induced Self Assembly) method. The catalytic applications of mesoporous zirconium phosphate have been limited in organic multicomponent synthesis. It involves the condensation of various aromatic aldehydes with different active heterocycles like 4-hydroxycoumarin, pyrazolones and indole affording the corresponding product in high yield within a short time. The catalyst was reused several times without much change in the activity.