Heterogeneous SnCl 2 /SiO 2 versus Homogeneous SnCl 2 Acid Catalysis in the Benzo[N,N]-heterocyclic Condensation

The scope of homogeneous Lewis acid-catalyzed benzo[N,N]-heterocyclic condensation was expanded to include the use of various metal salts not reported in the literature and $SnCl_2{\cdot}2H_2O$ was finally selected. Among various solid supports activated with $SnCl_2$, heterogeneous $SnCl_2/SiO_2$ proved to be the most effective and significantly higher conversions were achieved compared to $SnCl_2{\cdot}2H_2O$ itself. The results of TG-DTA and BET indicated that dispersed $SnCl_2$ coordinates with surface hydroxyl groups of silica leading to formation of stable Lewis acid sites. Low catalyst loading, operational simplicity, practicability and applicability to various substrates render this eco-friendly approach as an interesting alternative to previously applied procedures.