MgO nanoparticles as an efficient and reusable catalyst for aza-Michael reaction

MgO nanoparticles were prepared by an improved sol-gel technique which appeared to have narrow size distributions. The synthesized magnesium oxide nanoparticles were used as an efficient catalyst in aza-Michael reaction for addition of amines to a series of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and nitro olefins under solvent-free conditions at room temperature to afford high yields of the beta-amino carbonyl and beta-nitro amines. The catalyst can be recovered and reused at least five successive runs without loss of activity.