Zirconia-Supported Cu(I)-Stabilized Copper Oxide Mesoporous Catalyst for the Synthesis of Quinazolinones Under Ambient Conditions

Although there are many reports on the synthesis of quinazolinones, the use of high boiling solvents and high temperature restricts their scale-up to the industrial level. The current research reveals a simple protocol for the catalytic synthesis of quinazolines in the presence of a cost-effective and reusable mesoporous ZrO₂-supported Cu₂O (Cu₂ZrO₃) catalyst. The catalyst was prepared by simple co-precipitation and characterized using techniques like XRD, TGA, BET, SEM and TEM. The catalyst was reused for five cycles without significant loss in the activity and the catalyst was truly heterogeneous. The present synthesis utilizes environmentally benign H₂O₂ as an oxidant. The present protocol showed good tolerance for various substituted aldehydes and good yields for quinazolinone derivatives. The method followed a simple workup procedure and no column chromatography was needed.