Tungstophosphoric acid embedded magnetic chitosan as a green catalyst for the synthesis of N-cyclohexyl-3-aryl quinoxaline-2-amines

In the present study, a novel catalyst was well designed by incorporating the tungstophosphoric acid into the magnetic chitosan, as highly stable composite, in which the iron oxides were used the strong super-magnetic core. The prepared composite was characterized by several methods, including FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM and EDS and its catalytic activity was examined in a facile, green and highly efficient one-pot reaction for the synthesis of N-cyclohexyl-3-aryl-quinoxaline-2-amines with ophenylenediamine, benzaldehyde and cyclohexyl isocyanide in water, under reflux conditions. This heterogeneous catalytic system was separated easily by an external magnet and was reused at least in four runs without pre-activation and appreciable loss in its activity.