Volcanic ash as reusable catalyst in the green synthesis of 3H-1,5-benzodiazepines

The volcanic ash from the Andes mountain range (Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic complex situated in western South America on the Argentinean-Chilean border) was used as heterogeneous acid catalyst in the suitable synthesis of 3H-1,5-benzodiazepines. The natural ashes were classified according to their particle size to generate the different catalytic materials. The catalysts were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), vibrational spectroscopies (FT-IR and Raman), and textural properties were determined by N2 adsorption (SBET). Potentiometric titration with n-butylamine was used to determine the acidic properties of the catalytic materials. Several 3H-1,5-benzodiazepines were obtained by reaction of o-phenylenediamine and substituted 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione in solvent-free conditions, giving good to excellent yields of a variety benzodiazepines. The method was carried out in environmentally friendly conditions and it was operationally simple. The volcanic ash resulted in a safe and recyclable catalyst.