Design of a new multi-functional catalytic system Ni/SO(3)H@zeolite-Y for three-component synthesis of N-benzo-imidazo- or -thiazole-1,3-thiazolidinones

In this investigation, a nanoporous zeolite-NaY supported sulfonic acid was synthesized and Ni(ii) ions were successfully stabilized on SO(3)H@zeolite-Y (Ni/SO(3)H@zeolite-Y). This novel type of zeolitic nanocomposite was characterized using various techniques including FT-IR, FE-SEM, TGA, BET and EDX. Ni/SO(3)H@zeolite-Y was used as a multi-functional and highly active nanocatalyst for the three-component synthesis of 3-benzimidazolyl-1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones and new 3-benzthiazoleyl-1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones via cyclocondensation of 2-aminobenzimidazole or 2-aminobenzothiazole, aromatic aldehydes and thioglycolic acid in acetone–H(2)O at room temperature. This economical chemical procedure has advantages such as excellent yield in short reaction times, convenient manipulation and high purity of products, applicability to a broad range of substrates, and the use of a nontoxic and heterogeneous acid catalyst with good reusability.