Acid treated clays: preparation, characterization and catalytic activity for synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives

The preparation, characterization, and catalytic properties of acid treated clay (ATC) are reported. ATC has been characterized by XRD (basal spacing, 14.82 Å), specific surface area (66 m2/g), pore volume and pore width using BET method, UV–Vis DRS, TGA, SEM, and surface acidity by TPD of NH3. The activity of was investigated by the reaction of benzil with o-phenylene diamine. Among the catalysts, ATC was found to be more active. The reaction of various substituted o-phenylenediamines with benzil was studied on ATC to obtain corresponding quinoxalines in good yields. The regeneration and reusability of ATC has also been investigated.