H-Y zeolite is a versatile heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of β-nitroamines
Heterogeneous aza-Henry reactions of aldimes with nitromethane were examined with zeolites as catalysts. Among the zeolite used, H-Y zeolite showed satisfactory catalytic activity for various aldimines, resulting in corresponding β-nitroamines in good yields. H-Y zeolite also showed the excellent reusability until the 3rd usage without loss of its activity; further, the calcination of deactivated H-Y zeolite allowed it to rejuvenate its catalytic activity. Solid-state 13C MAS NMR revealed the predominant activation of an aldimine into the H-Y zeolite.