Efficient conversion of aldehydes and ketones into oximes using a nanostructured pyrophosphate catalyst in a solvent-free process

A nanostructured pyrophosphate (Na2CaP2O7) was synthesized by controlling the speed of its calcination, and then characterized by several methods including TGA, X-ray diffraction, FTIR, SEM, TEM and the determination of the surface area by the BET method. However, several aldehydes and ketones were efficiently and rapidly converted into the corresponding oximes by treatment with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in a solvent-free process under microwave irradiation using this nanostructured pyrophosphate as catalyst. The yields of the products were very high and the time required for their preparation was very short compared to conventional heating experiments and the catalyst was efficiently re-used. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.