ZnO-CeO 2 nanocomposite: efficient catalyst for the preparation of thieno[2,3- d ]pyrimidin-4(3 H )-one derivatives

The Zinc oxide-cerium oxide (ZnO-CeO 2 ) nanocomposite was prepared by a coprecipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and particle size distribution analysis. The XRD pattern shows the cubic phase of cerium oxide as the dominant phase. The FE-SEM images show the homogeneity distribution of zinc and cerium oxides in the sample. The mean particle size of the nanocomposite determined by dynamic light scattering technique was 58 nm. The catalytic activity of ZnO-CeO 2 nanocomposite was examined on the synthesis of thieno[2,3- d ]pyrimidin-4(3 H )-one derivatives. In all cases, the products were obtained in good to excellent yields.