Fabrication of heterogeneous Zr-containing polyoxometalate as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of a broad range of 1,5-benzodiazepine derivatives.

• The lacunary Keggin type polyoxometalates (POM) was synthesized and characterized. • Zr(W 5) 2 was used as a catalyst for the synthesis of 1,5-benzodiazepines. • Zr(W 5) 2 catalyst was recycled up to 3 runs with slight loss of activities. As an extension of our interest in polyoxometalate (POM) as catalysts, one heterogeneous catalyst TBA 8 [Zr(W 5 O 18) 2 ]·17H 2 O (Zr(W 5) 2) (TBA+: tetrabutylammonium) was synthesized and fully characterized by multiple spectroscopic techniques. In this catalyst, zirconium ion connected to two mono-lacunary Lindqvist [W 5 O 18 ]4− anions to create anionic sandwich-type POM and this anionic unit was encapsulated by TBA+ cations to form heterogeneous catalyst with hydrophobic nature. It is assumed that alkyl chains of TBA+ can trap reactants on the surface of catalyst, thus in this regard, the probability of the interaction between reactants and POM center can increase which lead to the higher catalytic efficiencies of above catalysts. Using Zr(W 5) 2 as a heterogeneous and efficient catalyst, a series of 1,5-benzodiazepines were synthesized via four mild and solvent-free reactions such as reaction of 1,2-phenylenediamine with ketones, chalcones, 1,3-diketones and aldehydes. According to the results, the presented protocol is superior to the previously reported methodologies in terms of reaction time and product yield. The facile work-up procedure and the reusability of this catalyst are other advantages of this protocol. [Display omitted]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]