Catalytic Activity of Burkina Phosphates for Chalcone Synthesis in Green Solvent

Abstract The Claisen-Schmidt condensation is a key catalytic reaction used in chemical synthesis, developed during the 20th century. This condensation can be performed with or without toxic solvents in the presence of a catalyst. This study focused on using a green solvent - water - for the Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction, enhanced by catalysts derived from simple natural phosphate (NPc), potassium-impregnated natural phosphate (K-NP), and zinc-impregnated natural phosphate (Zn-NP). The research highlighted a significant improvement in the catalytic activity of these catalysts when used in water. Optimal reaction conditions were established, considering factors such as catalyst quantity, reaction kinetics, solvent volume, catalyst reuse, and the influence of the metal ions employed. The stability of these catalysts was demonstrated through multiple reaction cycles, indicating their potential for reuse. The results revealed that the developed catalysts were highly effective for the Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction, achieving remarkable yields of 74 % for NPc, 96 % for Zn-NP, and 98 % for K-NP under specific conditions while utilising water as the green solvent.