Microwave Assisted Modification of Bentonite Clay: Characterization and Solvent Free Synthesis of Schiff’s Bases

Abstract

The acid modified bentonite catalysts prepared from bentonite clay activated under microwave irradiation with different concentrations of H 2 SO 4 (0.1, 1, 2 and 3M). A series of novel and significant compounds containing Schiff's base substituted aromatic compounds have been synthesized using modified clay in solvent-free conditions under microwave irradiation. The structures of obtained compounds were analyzed by H-NMR, FT-IR spectral studies and the prepared heterogeneous acid activated catalysts were characterized by PXRD, SEM, BET, FT-IR and UV-Visible spectral analysis. PXRD studies showed the phases of catalyst and average crystallite size is analyzed in the range of 11-18 nm. The optical properties of the catalysts were investigated by UV-Vis; demonstrate the energy band gap of the catalyst. This modified clay catalysts can be re-used up to 3-4 times and further used in practical applications.