Zirconium(IV) 4-sulphophenylethyliminobismethylphosphonate as an efficient and reusable catalyst for one-pot synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidones under solvent-free conditions

Zirconium(IV) 4-sulphophenylethyliminobismethylphosphonate (ZSBEDP) was prepared and characterised by elemental analysis, IR, TG-DSC, and XRD. ZSBEDP was found to be an efficient catalyst for the Biginelli reaction of aromatic aldehyde, ethyl acetoacetate, and urea or thiourea under solvent-free conditions so as to give 3,4-dihydropyrimidones in good to excellent yields. The catalyst can be separated by simple filtration and reused without significant loss of its catalytic activity.