Modified hydroxyapatite with sodium nitrate: an efficient new solid catalyst for the Claisen–Schmidt condensation Original Research Article

A simple and convenient synthesis of chalcones has been accomplished by heterogeneous catalysis of the Claisen–Schmidt condensation using a small amount of sodium nitrate/hydroxyapatite. The reaction was carried out under very mild conditions at room temperature. The addition of a quaternary ammonium salt enhanced the rate and the yield of the reaction. NaNO3/hydroxyapatite can be easily regenerated and reused. Several chalcones have been synthesised with very high yields.