Efficient Ce-doped MgO@Ag core–shell catalyst for green synthesis of xanthenes

The advancement of green and efficient synthetic strategies is essential for the pursuit of environmentally sustainable organic transformations. Xanthene derivatives, recognized for their broad pharmacological and synthetic utility, are key structural motifs in various bioactive molecules. This study reports a one-pot, three-component synthesis of xanthene derivatives catalyzed by cerium-doped, silver-coated MgO (Ce-MgO@Ag) core–shell nanoparticles under solvent-free grinding conditions at ambient room temperature. The catalyst is synthesized via a sol–gel method and comprehensively characterized using XRD, FTIR, Ads-Des, BET, BJH EDAX, FESEM, HRTEM, SAED, and XPS techniques. The model reaction employs aromatic aldehydes, dimedone. Optimization of reaction conditions yields high-purity products with excellent efficiency. The synthesized xanthenes are characterized using FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and MS. Compared to conventional protocols, this nanocatalyst offers advantages such as high catalytic efficiency, superior yields, short reaction duration, inexpensive nature, operational simplicity, reusability, and environmental benignity. The findings underscore the potential of nanostructured catalysts in advancing green synthetic strategies.

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