BackgroundGreen catalyst fly ash: H2SO4 was prepared by mixing fly ash and sulphuric acid. Microwave irradiations are applied for solid phase cyclization of 5-bromo-2-thienyl chalcones and phenyl hydrazine hydrate in the presence of fly ash: H2SO4 yields, 1-phenyl-3(5-bromothiophen-2-yl)-5-(substituted phenyl)-2-pyrazolines. These pyrazolines were characterized by their physical constants and spectral data. The antimicrobial activities of all synthesized pyrazolines have been studied.ResultsScanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis shows the morphology changes between fly ash and the catalyst fly ash: H2SO4. The SEM photographs with the scale of 1 and 50 μm show the fly-ash particle is corroded by H2SO4 (indicated by arrow mark), and this may be due to dissolution of fly ash by H2SO4. The yields of 1-phenyl-3(5-bromothiophen-2-yl)-5-(substituted phenyl)-2-pyrazolines is more than 75% using this catalyst under microwave heating. All pyrazolines showed moderate activities against antimicrobial strains.ConclusionWe have developed an efficient catalytic method for synthesis of 1-phenyl-3(5-bromothiophen-2-yl)-5-(substituted phenyl)-2-pyrazolines by solid phase cyclization using a solvent-free environmentally greener catalyst fly ash: H2SO4 under microwave irradiation between aryl chalcones and hydrazine hydrate. This reaction protocol offers a simple, economical, environment friendly, non-hazardous, easier work-up procedure, and good yields. All synthesized pyrazoline derivatives showed moderate antimicrobial activities against bacterial and fungal strains.