Nanosized MoO3 as a reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of 2,6-bis(benzylidene)cyclohexanones

Crystalline MoO₃ nanoparticles were obtained by electrochemical synthesis process using tetrapropylammonium bromide as a stabilizer and structure-directing agent in ACN:THF(4:1) solvent. Formation of MoO₃ nanoparticles took place at a constant supply current of 14 mA/cm2. These synthesized MoO₃ nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). So prepared MoO3 nanoparticles were used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of 2,6-bis(benzylidene)cyclohexanone derivatives. This protocol offers several advantages, such as simple work-up procedure, recyclability of the catalyst, excellent product yield in a short reaction time and purification of products with a non-chromatographic method.