Synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles using silica-bonded propylpiperazine N-sulfamic acid as a recyclable solid acid catalyst

A simple and efficient procedure for the preparation of silica-bonded propylpiperazine-N-sulfamic acid (SBPPSA) by the reaction of 3-piperazine-N-propylsilica (3-PNPS) and chlorosulfonic acid in chloroform is described. Silica-bonded propylpiperazine-N-sulfamic acid is employed as a recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of highly substituted imidazoles from the reaction of benzil, aromatic aldehydes, ammonium acetate and amines under solvent-free conditions. The heterogeneous catalyst was recycled for five runs upon the reaction of benzil, 4-methylbenzaldehyde, benzylamine, and ammonium acetate without losing its catalytic activity.