Synthesis of Flavonoids using ZnCr2O4 nanoparticle catalyst

Abstract

ZnCr2O4 nanoparticles with a high specific surface area has been fabricated using a hydrothermal synthetic process and was used as an effective catalyst to synthesize flavonoid derivatives. The textural and structural properties of the spinel were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), nitrogen sorption techniques, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). XRD confirmed the formation of cubic Zinc Chromite spinel with an average crystallite size of 5.04 nm. While textural analysis by N2 sorption revealed a disordered mesoporous system with a high specific surface of 215 m2/g for ZnCr2O4. Moreover, all desired flavonoids obtained in high yields under solvent-free conditions with the aid of the ZnCr2O4 catalyst. Structures of all flavonoid derivatives were confirmed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FT-IR and their melting points.