Montmorillonite K10 as a suitable co-catalyst for atom economy in chelation-assisted intermolecular hydroacylation

The clay montmorillonite K10 is an efficient acidic solid that can act as a reusable co-catalyst in the condensation reaction of aldehydes and amines to provide the imine intermediate which is then transformed into the ketone through the hydroiminoacylation reaction, in the presence of rhodium complexes.