Novel and green approach for the nanocrystalline magnesium oxide synthesis and its catalytic performance in Claisen-Schmidt condensation

Magnesium oxide is one of the most promising solid base material having catalytic applications. A novel, simple, efficient, inexpensive, additives free and green synthesis protocol for magnesium oxide nano-particles using concentrated solar energy has been reported. Using magnesium acetate and 1,4-butanediol magnesium oxide nanoparticles in the range of 5-20 nm was prepared. The driving force for the nanoparticles synthesis was obtained by using concentrated solar energy as a dual energy source in the form of radiational and thermal effect. The resulting magnesium oxide nanoparticles are found to be excellent and reusable catalyst for the Claisen-Schmidt condensation under solvent free condition. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.