Selective synthesis of nitroalcohols in the presence of Ambersep 900 OH as heterogeneous catalyst

A green protocol has been developed for the selective synthesis of beta-nitroalcohols using commercially available Ambersep 900 OH as reusable heterogeneous catalyst. The reaction between aldehyde and nitromethane was performed under solvent-free condition at room temperature within a short time (70-150 min) in the presence of 10 wt % of Ambersep 900 OH to produce corresponding nitroalcohols in high yield (72-91 %). After the reaction is over, the catalyst can be separated and reused (3 cycles) without appreciable loss in its activity. [GRAPHICS] R = aryl, alkyl