Sulfated zirconia: A novel and reusable catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of α-aminophosphonates

A new catalytic method has been developed for the one-pot synthesis of α-aminophosphonates via three component coupling of aldehyde, amine and diethyl phophite at room temperature in acetonitrile using sulfated zirconia as a solid super acid catalyst. The recovered catalyst could be recycled for five times with gradual decrease in activity.