Silica supported lanthanum trifluoroacetate and trichloroacetate as an efficient and reusable water compatible Lewis acid catalyst for synthesis of 2,4,5-triarylimidazoles via a solvent-free green approach

In the present research article, we have developed solid heterogenous silica supported lanthanum trifluoroacetate and trichloroacetate as green Lewis acid catalysts. These catalysts were synthesized by a novel, simple, cheap, clean, and environment friendly method. The physicochemical properties of the prepared catalysts were well studied and characterized by sophisticated spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR, TGA, XRD, EDX, SEM, TEM and BET analysis. The catalyst was utilized in the synthesis of arylimidazole derivatives via green protocols under solvent-free conditions at 70 °C with a higher yield, mild reaction conditions and a short reaction time. The catalyst works superiorly in water as well as in various organic solvents as a reusable and easily recoverable catalyst.