Air-stable zirconocene bis(perfluorobutanesulfonate) as a highly efficient catalyst for synthesis of N-heterocyclic compounds

Abstract Zirconocene bis(perfluorobutanesulfonate) is air- and water-stable and proved to be ionic on basis of conductivity measurements. It exhibits high catalytic efficiency for the synthesis of N-heterocyclic compounds under solvent-free condition, such as benzimidazoles, benzodiazepines, dihydropyrimidinones and dihydropyridines under mild condition. Furthermore, it can be reused without loss of activity in a test of five cycles. This catalytic system affords a simple and efficient approach for the synthesis of N-heterocyclic compounds.