Synthesis, Characterization of TiO2-Based Nanostructure as Efficient Catalyst for the Synthesis of New Heterocycles Benzothiazole-Linked Pyrrolidin-2-One: Catalytic Performances Are Particle's Size Dependent

Nano and micro-rutile TiO2 structures were prepared via sol-gel and hydrothermal approaches, respectively. The as-prepared structures were subjected to various characterizations; morphological by Scanning electron microscopy, structural using both X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy and elemental analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalytic ability of the two synthesized TiO2 structures were evaluated against the synthesis of new heterocyclic compounds pyrrolidinone linked to benzothiazole moiety. These scaffolds have been prepared from substituted amines and available 2-aminothiophenol using the as-prepared TiO2 as a heterogeneous catalyst, under ultrasonic irradiation. Our results indicate that the hydrothermal-prepared TiO2 provide lower catalytic activity with respect to the sol-gel prepared one.