Highly efficient and rapid synthesis of imines in the presence of nano-ordered MCM-41-SO3H heterogeneous catalyst

Nano-ordered MCM-41 anchored sulfonic acid (MCM-41-SO3H) was used as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of Schiff bases by the reaction of different aryl/alkyl aldehydes or ketones with primary amines at room temperature with high to excellent yields. This mesoporous catalyst can be reused at least four times without significant loss to its catalytic potential.